4 SPLA-IO officers detained in Rubkona over ‘false’ claim of defection to Dickson Gatluak

BENTIU, APRIL 13, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – At least four military officers belonging to the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA-IO) are being held after being accused of plotting to defect to South Sudan United Front faction under Dickson Gatluak.

Speaking to Sudans Post, a family member who refused to be named said his brother, Thai Gattiek Ziaydoar – a SPLA-IO officer – is among four officers arrested after claims on social media by Dickson Gatluak’s group that they have defected from the SPLA-IO and joined them.

“Thai is my brother and is a member of the SPLM-IO and has no intention to defect anywhere. But the problem occurred when Dickson Gatluak and his men wrote his name as a part of a list of people, they claimed to have defected from the SPLM-IO,” he said.

“This has caused suspicion against Thai from his colleagues and his commanders in the SPLA-IO and now they are being detained. He has not defected, and he has not intention to do so. He is being detained along with three others that I cannot name because I cannot speak for them,” the family source added.

The three other officers are identified as Maj. Gen. Puok Ngueny Koh, Maj. Gen. Kew Kuol Riek, and Guong Kew.

But in a statement extended to Sudans Post this morning, the SSUF/A faction led by Gatluak claimed that the officers were detained by SPLA-IO area commander because they had decided to switch side from the main armed opposition to the Gatluak-led SSUF/A faction.

The statement urged the Sant’Egidio Catholic Community and CTSAMVM to pressure the SPLA-IO to release the detained officers immediately.

“We call on the SPLM/A-IO to immediately release our detained officers to help defuse the escalating situation in Unity State,” reads the statement signed by SSUF/A military spokesman Col. Philip Deng.