Peter Lorot
Encyclopedia
Peter Lorot is a former officer who served with the Sudan People's Liberation Army
(SPLA) during the Second Sudanese Civil War
(1983-2005). He broke away from the SPLA in 1999 with a Didinga force based on Chukudum
, in Budi County
of Eastern Equatoria State in South Sudan
. In the resulting conflict many people were displaced.
As of April 2011 Lorot's forces were still not reconciled with the de-facto SPLM government.
In September 2000 Non-Government Organization (NGO) personnel were evacuated from the area due to concerns that conflict might erupt between Lorot's forces and the SPLA. The next month Lorot attacked SPLA forces around Chukudum.
Since the SPLA had followed a policy of integrating people of different communities into their forces, the SPLA troops attacked by Lorot were Didinga and Toposa people, rather than the Dinka people against whom Lorot was hostile.
A report of the fighting said Lorot seemed to be supported by the government of Sudan.
In May 2001 the Danish pilot of an ICRC plane was killed while flying over the region. The plane had been forced to descend briefly to 2000 metres (6,561.7 ft) for technical reasons, and had just climbed back to its assigned altitude. An SPLM spokesman said the SPLA had no forces in the area, and "therefore puts the blame squarely on the government of Sudan and its allied militias", including Lorot's group among these.
The government in Khartoum had accused the SPLA of involvement, but the SPLM said the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) controlled Kapoeta
town and was responsible for the incident because it directed Lorot's operations.
According to an SPLM spokesman the incident occurred west of the Didinga Hills
, about 65 kilometres (40.4 mi) south of Kapoeta, over territory that was mostly controlled by pro-government militias led by Captain Peter Lorot.
The fighting with Lorot's forces displaced about 16,800 people from Chukudum to nearby villages in the highlands. The "Chukudom Crisis" was resolved in August 2002 during a Peace Conference organized by the New Sudan Council of Churches
. During the crisis, landmines were sown in the fields around Chukudum.
In February 2006 Brigadier General Aloisio Emor Ojetuk
, Governor of Eastern Equatoria, said
about 359 men from Lorot's force had joined the SPLA and were receiving training.
An attempt by the SPLA in June 2006 to disarm Lorot's militia was ignored, with the group threatening to start fighting again.
In July 2006, the first Vice President of the Government of National Unity of Sudan
and President of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir, called for unity in South Sudan. He described Lorot as being among those who had not yet made up their minds about which side they wanted to support.
In April 2011, renewed fighting between Lorot's tribal militia and SPLA forces was said to have resulted in several deaths and massive displacement of civilians.
Sudan People's Liberation Army
The Sudan People's Liberation Movement is a political party in South Sudan. It was initially founded as a rebel political movement with a military wing known as the Sudan People's Liberation Army estimated at 180,000 soldiers. The SPLM fought in the Second Sudanese Civil War against the Sudanese...
(SPLA) during the Second Sudanese Civil War
Second Sudanese Civil War
The Second Sudanese Civil War started in 1983, although it was largely a continuation of the First Sudanese Civil War of 1955 to 1972. Although it originated in southern Sudan, the civil war spread to the Nuba mountains and Blue Nile by the end of the 1980s....
(1983-2005). He broke away from the SPLA in 1999 with a Didinga force based on Chukudum
Chukudum
Chukudum is a village in Budi County of the Eastern Equatoria state of South Sudan.-Location:The village lies at the base of the Didinga Mountains, which are often shrouded in clouds, in spectacularly beautiful country...
, in Budi County
Budi County
Budi County is an administrative area of Eastern Equatoria state in South Sudan, with headquarters in Chukudum.-Location:Budi county is located in the south of Eastern Equatoria state, bordered by Uganda to the south, Ikotos County to the south west, Lafon County to the north west, and Kapoeta to...
of Eastern Equatoria State in South Sudan
South Sudan
South Sudan , officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country located in the Sahel region of northeastern Africa. It is also part of the North Africa UN sub-region. Its current capital is Juba, which is also its largest city; the capital city is planned to be moved to the more...
. In the resulting conflict many people were displaced.
As of April 2011 Lorot's forces were still not reconciled with the de-facto SPLM government.
Civil war
In 1999 there was extreme tension in Chukudum between the Dinka-led military authorities and the Didinga people, fueled by a history of humiliation, harassment and violence since the SPLA moved into the region in 1985. When a Dinka was promoted in place of Lorot, he and several supporters assassinated the Dinka officer and took to the woods.In September 2000 Non-Government Organization (NGO) personnel were evacuated from the area due to concerns that conflict might erupt between Lorot's forces and the SPLA. The next month Lorot attacked SPLA forces around Chukudum.
Since the SPLA had followed a policy of integrating people of different communities into their forces, the SPLA troops attacked by Lorot were Didinga and Toposa people, rather than the Dinka people against whom Lorot was hostile.
A report of the fighting said Lorot seemed to be supported by the government of Sudan.
In May 2001 the Danish pilot of an ICRC plane was killed while flying over the region. The plane had been forced to descend briefly to 2000 metres (6,561.7 ft) for technical reasons, and had just climbed back to its assigned altitude. An SPLM spokesman said the SPLA had no forces in the area, and "therefore puts the blame squarely on the government of Sudan and its allied militias", including Lorot's group among these.
The government in Khartoum had accused the SPLA of involvement, but the SPLM said the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) controlled Kapoeta
Kapoeta
Kapoeta is a town in South Sudan. It is located in Kapoeta South County, in Eastern Equatoria State, in southeastern South Sudan.-Location:The town lies on the east bank of the Singaita River...
town and was responsible for the incident because it directed Lorot's operations.
According to an SPLM spokesman the incident occurred west of the Didinga Hills
Didinga Hills
The Didinga Hills are an upland area in Eastern Equatoria state of South Sudan, lying mainly within Budi County. They are named for the Didinga people who live in the region....
, about 65 kilometres (40.4 mi) south of Kapoeta, over territory that was mostly controlled by pro-government militias led by Captain Peter Lorot.
The fighting with Lorot's forces displaced about 16,800 people from Chukudum to nearby villages in the highlands. The "Chukudom Crisis" was resolved in August 2002 during a Peace Conference organized by the New Sudan Council of Churches
New Sudan Council of Churches
The New Sudan Council of Churches is an organization comprising six churches located in Southern Sudan: the Roman Catholic Church, Episcopal Church of the Sudan, Presbyterian Church of Sudan, African Inland Church, Sudan Pentecostal Church, and Sudan Interior Church...
. During the crisis, landmines were sown in the fields around Chukudum.
Post-war
The civil war ended in 2005.In February 2006 Brigadier General Aloisio Emor Ojetuk
Aloisio Emor Ojetuk
Aloisio Emor Ojetuk was governor of Eastern Equatoria State of South Sudan from 2005 to 2010.In September 2006, Ojetuk said that the remnants of the former Equatoria Defence Forces were being supplied with ammunition by the Sudanese Armed Forces and were still a threat to security...
, Governor of Eastern Equatoria, said
about 359 men from Lorot's force had joined the SPLA and were receiving training.
An attempt by the SPLA in June 2006 to disarm Lorot's militia was ignored, with the group threatening to start fighting again.
In July 2006, the first Vice President of the Government of National Unity of Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
and President of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir, called for unity in South Sudan. He described Lorot as being among those who had not yet made up their minds about which side they wanted to support.
In April 2011, renewed fighting between Lorot's tribal militia and SPLA forces was said to have resulted in several deaths and massive displacement of civilians.