Gelimer was unwilling to surrender a rival claimant to Justinian, who could use him to stir up trouble in his kingdom, and probably expected war to come either way, according to J.B. Bury. He consequently refused Justinian's demand on the grounds that this was an internal matter among the Vandals.
Gelimer was unwilling to relinquish a rival claimant to Justinian, who could incite turmoil in his realm, and probably anticipated war regardless of the outcome, as noted by J.B. Bury. He therefore declined Justinian's demand, maintaining that it was an internal matter for the Vandals.