‘I am safe and sound’: Gatwech denies rumors of snake bite

KHARTOUM, MAY 29, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The leader of the breakaway SPLA-IO Kitgwang faction General Simon Gatwech Dual has denied rumors that he has been bitten by a snake and that he has been flown by First Vice President Riek Machar to Ethiopia for treatment.

In an interview with Sudans Post on Monday afternoon, Gatwech said that he is safe and sound and that he is currently in Sudan.

Gatwech who was the chief of staff of the SPLA-IO until June 2021 said the rumors of his snake bite were being spread by Machar, the leader of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), to frame his group as a failure.

“That is not true. As I am currently talking to you and no snake has bitten me. I am currently witnessing what is taking place in Sudan. This is a mobilization of being me by Riek Machar who has failed,” Gatwech said.

“I am safe and sound, and I am still in Sudan, and I will leave this country at the right time to go back to where my forces are currently in South Sudan to continue the struggle,” he added.

The rumors of Gatwech’s snake bite first surfaced on social media, Facebook, and WhatsApp groups, on Sunday last week.

The rumors were quickly picked up by some South Sudanese activist who reported that the general had been bitten by a snake while he was in Sudan.