Gatwech, Machar’s forces clash in Tonja

JUBA – South Sudan’s breakaway main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) Kitgwang faction led by Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual has accused First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar’s forces of attacking its base in Upper Nile state’s Tonja.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post, Brig. Gen. Alfred Gach Thot, the spokesman of the SPLA-IO Kitgwang faction, said the attack took place during the morning hours on December 14 at the group’s Tonja base, but said the attackers were defeated and also lose three soldiers in action.

“On the 14 December 2022 at noon time, the SPLA-IO KD military base in Tunja came under surprise attack from the none-unified forces (the SPLA-IO) loyal to first vice president of the Republic of South Sudan Dr. Riek Machar Teny,” he said in the statement.

“The mighty SPLA-IO KD forces under overall Phow zonal commander Gen. Nhial Kuol Wang had mercilessly defeated the attackers, killing 3 of them and wounded 9 others,” the statement dated December 15 added.

The statement further said that the Gatwech-led group further lost one servicemember and called on the African Union (AU) the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and international peace guarantors to force President Kiir and Machar to cease attacks.

“On our side, the SPLA-IO KD lost one person and 8 others have light wounds,” it said.

“The SPLA-IO KD called on IGAD, AU and international peace partners to condemn the proxy war sponsored in juba by President Salva Kiir and his first vice President Dr. Riek Machar,” it added.