Ex-SPLM-IO governor of Sobat state debunks Machar impeachment rumors

KHARTOUM – Former SPLM-IO governor of the defunct opposition Sobat state Duer Tut Duer has debunked social media reports that an internal rival group he allegedly heads was planning to launch an impeachment process for the SPLM-IO leader and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny.

Since August, members of the internal rival group calling itself “Reformist” group have been calling for impeachment of the main armed opposition leader for his alleged failure to secure a just peace agreement with the defunct ITGONU of President Salva Kiir.

In an exclusive interview with Sudans Post this afternoon, Duer said he don’t support any impeachment process against Machar, but said he and those with him were working to install a new leader for the main armed opposition group saying Machar has abandoned the SPLM-IO.

“The group of Reformists within the SPLM-IO including myself is not calling for the impeachment of the First Vice President Riek Machar. The group has nothing to do with this redundant position of First Vice President, let Riek Machar enjoy this position as long as he could,” Duer said.

“The Reformists within the SPLM-IO, are working to put in place a new Chairman and a new leadership since Riek Machar has abandoned the Movement.  The group is working hard to make it happen as soon as all the necessary parameters for our action are gathered,” he added.

The former opposition governor has been in odds with Machar since the later’s return to Juba earlier this year over the status of the provisions of the revitalized peace agreement which provides for formation of a unified national security organs before teh formation of the revitalized unity government.

Machar had insisted shortly before his return to Juba that he would not agree to formation of the 36-month unity government without the completion of the reunification of the rival forces which he said was crucial for a stable, and effective transitional period.

However, under regional pressure, Machar was forced to return to Juba in January to form the long-awaited unity government with President Salva Kiir following his appointment, once again, on February 22, as First Vice-President.

Duer said he is for Machar’s removal, but said there was no point of impeachment as the First Vice President left the movement and the cause on which basis the group fought the regime in Juba for almost seven years.

“I am for removal of Riek Machar from the Chairmanship of the SPLM-IO, because Riek Machar failed and he fails the movement ( the SPLM-IO) along with him. He abandoned the cause [and] due to his weakness and bad leadership, the SPLM-IO failed to achieve a single objective:  He abandoned those who fought for him. The white army and the civil servants who left their jobs for the cause are not considered nor part of this agreement. The professional soldiers who fought for him and promoted by him are not considered by this Agreement,” Duer said.

Duer who is currently in Khartoum and who is a member of the SPLM-IO National Liberation Council (NLC) accused Machar of surrender to the regime in Juba and for awarding family members to key government positions allocated to the main armed opposition group by the revitalized peace agreement.

“He surrendered to the Government, he ran in before the Security Arrangements [are completed]. He turned the movement in to a family business, only his relatives are enjoying the fruits of our collective struggle. He practices nepotism while the movement [ according to its documents] is fighting against nepotism, most of all those appointed in the Government are his relatives or related to him in one way or another,” he said.

“He practices corruption, while the movement is fighting against corruption. He practices tribalism, while the movement is fighting against tribalism. He is not sincere nor faithful to the members of the movement. He is not a person of his words, he said in 2013, that he and the Nuer should not always fight for position of Vice President, he is now a Vice President. He abandoned his forces in the bush and ran in for a redundant position of first Vice President,” Duer added.