Chollo lawmakers on SPLM-IO ticket disown Kitgwang generals, reaffirm loyalty to Machar

JUBA – Lawmakers in South Sudan’s reconstituted parliament on the ticket of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny have disowned the SPLM-IO Kitgwang faction led by General Simon Gatwech Dual, an ethnic Nuer, and General Johnson Olony Thabo, an ethnic Chollo, saying they are loyal to Machar.

Speaking during a press conference in Juba on Thursday, Honorable Angelina Samuel Nyawela, a member of the parliament on SPLM-IO ticket, said they condemn the declaration which she said is meant to derail the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement in general and the security arrangements in particular.

“We are standing on our ground under the visionary leadership of Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon without any doubt or confusion that undermines the peace implementation,” Angelina Samuel Nyawela who is the Chairperson of the Chollo Caucus in parliament, said while flanked by fellow Chollo lawmakers.

She urged other SPLM-IO members from Chollo community to disown the generals saying the Chollo community deserves to live in peace.

“We condemn Kit-Gwang declaration in the strongest term possible and remain loyal to Dr. Machar to implement the peace agreement,” she said.

“Peace is our priority as Chollo Community. We need to give peace a chance in our Kingdom,” she added.

The SPLM-IO Kitgwang faction emerged on August 4, 2021, following a declaration by General Simon Gatwech Dual that he has ousted Machar following three days of gathering of top opposition commanders including General Johnson Olony, who is the designated deputy chairman and commander in chief, and General Thomas Mabor Dhol.