It is Olony attacking Machar: Gatwech distances self from Upper Nile clashes

JUBA – South Sudan opposition commander and leader of the breakaway Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) Kitgwang faction Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual has distanced himself from the recent clashes in Upper Nile state saying it is Gen. Johnson Olony Thabo’s Agwelek faction attacking SPLA-IO forces under First Vice President Machar.

This comes after the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) Edmund Yakani warned Gatwech and Olony of legal consequences over continued displacement and killing of innocent civilians as a result of their continued conflict, just a day after Gen. Johnson Olony claimed that he has been attacked Gatwech and First Vice President Machar’s forces.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Alfred Gach Thot, the military spokesman of the SPLA-IO Kitgwang faction, said their forces have no presence in Diel and Phom where Gen. Olony’s forces fought with the SPLA-IO and said that the area was controlled by SPLA-IO under First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar prior to the fighting.

“The SPLA-IO Kitgwang forces under the Chairman and Commander in Chief, 1^st Lt Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual have no prominent presence in both Diel and Phom as are the SPLA-IO of Dr. Riek Machar. It is to be made clear to the public that it’s the rebellious wing of Agwelek division under Gen Johnson Olony Thabo which for the reasons best known for them that launched string of attacks on Machar’s forces stationing in twin areas of Diel and Phom without directive from SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang leadership,” he said.

While condemning the attack by Gen. Olony’s forces on innocent civilians, the Gatwech-led opposition group said it is committed to the implementation of the peace agreement it signed with President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s group in January this year.

“As responsible armed forces governed by rule of law and international conventions, we condemn in the strongest possible terms Agwelek forces act of provocation against innocent civilians of greater Fangak areas,” the statement added.

“We the SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang are truly committed to the peaceful resolution of conflict through which our leadership sent advance peace team to juba earlier this year,” the strong-worded statement went on to add.