Machar, however, soon emerged leading a force of rebel soldiers, known as the SPLA in Opposition (SPLA-IO; aligned with the ruling party splinter group, the SPLM-IO), and called for Kiir to step down.
Cattle raiding, a long-standing historical reality, now significantly exacerbates the political conflict and poses threats to civilian wellbeing that rival the more visible atrocities committed by the SPLA and opposition (SPLA-IO) forces.
"The SPLA is pursuing the rebels south," SPLA spokesperson Col. Philip Aguer told VICE.
"Over the past two years," says a December 2009 cable, from the embassy in Nairobi, Kenyan officials "have shared full details of their engagement with the SPLA as we have shared details of our training program for the SPLA, including combat arms soldier training".
In June 1998 the SPLA captured the town of Ulu, close to the Adar Yale field, and in March 1999 the SPLA 13th battalion defeated a government brigade at the town.
If the government were to offer the SPLA a mean hand in the transitional government, the rebels might well decide to continue the war.But the SPLA is not as well-placed militarily as at first seems.
"The SPLA we cannot say is perfect.
"We saw soldiers from the SPLA shooting at civilians".
For a start, the SPLA is stronger than before.
At the time he met McCune, the 13-year-old Jal was fighting with the SPLA.
"It's all about the cohesion of the SPLA and it looks as if it's collapsing".
