Top rebel leader in South Sudan killed by army

JUBA, South Sudan — South Sudan’s vice president says that the most dangerous rebel leader in his country has been killed.

Vice President Riek Machar said Tuesday that George Athor was killed by South Sudan’s military on Monday.

Athor defected from his position in the southern army — known as the SPLA — in 2010 to run for governor in Jonglei state.

After losing the vote, Athor launched a revolt against the southern government along with an unknown number of his troops.

Clashes between Athor’s men and the SPLA resulted have resulted in hundreds killed over the last year.

Athor is a former deputy chief of staff in the army. His revolt represented a significant security threat to South Sudan, which broke off from Sudan in July to form the world’s newest country.