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 hand over a rival claimant to Justinian, who could provoke conflict in his kingdom, and probably anticipated war regardless of the outcome, according to J.B. Bury. He therefore rejected Justinian's demand on the grounds that this was an internal issue among the Vandals.