“I am not a reformist” – Gen. Gatwech Dual

JUBA – The military chief of staff of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), General Simon Gatwech Dual, has distanced himself from the so-called ‘reformist’ group led by former SPLM-IO governor of the defunct Sobat State Duer Tut Duer.

This comes days after officials allied to the opposition commander told Sudans Post that General Gatwech has refused – during a meeting meant to form new leadership for the SPLM-IO in Magenis – to nominate Duer to replace SPLM-IO leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny.

In an interview with Sudans Post on Saturday afternoon, General Gatwech said he is not a part of the reformist group and said he is not in connection with Governor Duer Tut Duer saying he is only fighting for the implementation of the security arrangements.

“First of all the media has got it wrong that I am a member of the reformist group led by Mr. Duer Tut Duer. I am not a reformist but the chief of staff of the SPLA-IO forces and I am fighting for the implementation of the security arrangements,” he said on phone from Magenis.

During the same interview, General Gatwech also denied reports that he was in talks with SSUF/A leader Paul Malong and Real-SPLM leader Pagan Amum and said the allegations are meant to tarnish his image before the membership of the SPLM-IO, something he calls a campaign being waged by some people he didn’t name within the SPLM-IO.

“You know there is a campaign against me trying to brand me as an anti-peace element and unprincipled man. That information comes from people I known within the movement and I will no mention them,” General Dual said from Magenis.

“What I would like to say is that it is not true, and I urge every member of the movement that I have my own press unit and secretary who give information about what I am doing and anything that comes outside this is not true,” he said.