Ex-SPLM-IO commissioner of Akobo resigns, says group ‘stuck in the middle of the ocean’

JUBA – Former SPLM-IO commissioner of the opposition-dominated Akobo county of Jonglei state has resigned saying the main armed opposition group has ‘stuck in the middle of the ocean’ and may consider joining another group with a ‘clear’ vision.

Colonel Tut Chot Rial Gaw said in his resignation will hurt many in the group who he said knows how he contributed to the movement during his time there, but said he would not mention why he resigned from the movement as it is the case for previous military and political official who abandoned Machar.

“I am writing this letter to you so that I can officially inform you about my resignation from the movement (SPLM/A-IO). I thank all of you for the great time we spent together as comrades in the struggle who decided to liberate our people from the system which never gives them freedom and we tried to rescue them from that system,” Tut said in a statement extended to Sudans Post this afternoon.

“Unfortunately, we got stuck in the middle of the ocean. I therefore, decided to resign from the party due to what the rest of my colleagues have mentioned in their previous resignations, but I don’t want to repeat it joined in the liberation struggle because I love my people and my country as well,” the senior opposition official said.

The former opposition commissioner said it is difficult for him to continue in the main armed opposition group, despite the contribution that he has made in the movement over the last seven years of civil war.

“I know my resignation from SPLM/A-IO will hurt those who know my role and contribution in the movement so far. So it can be too difficult for me to continue as member under these circumstances,” he said.

“I decided to help my people in different capacity as normal citizen or if I wish to join another political party that may has clear vision and objectives towards prosperity of South Sudan,” he added.