South Sudanese rebel chief George Athor has been killed in a clash with soldiers of the newly independent nation, Vice President Riek Machar said on Tuesday. One month after vowing to continue his battle against the Juba government, Athor died when a South Sudanese border patrol clashed with "elements" with him in Morobo County at about 1500 GMT on Monday, Machar said.
"George Athor and one other soldier were killed instantly," Machar said in a statement, adding that Athor had sneaked back in through neighbouring countries and was on a recruiting drive in Central Equatoria state.