Kiir reportedly asked Gatwech to accept presidential advisory role – sources

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has reportedly asked former SPLA-IO chief of staff General Simon Gatwech Dual to accept the presidential advisor for peace position which was granted to him by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, a senior opposition official allied to Gatwech has said.

Gatwech was last July appointed as presidential advisor on peace on the ticket of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, but refused to take up the role fearing that he would be downgraded to a politician from the military.

Machar then issued an order removing General Gatwech as the military chief of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO). Gatwech then decided to remove Machar as the chairman and commander in chief of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army ion Opposition.

The attempt by Gatwech to remove Machar sparked opposition infighting that has so far killed hundreds of opposition forces loyal to both side and General Gatwech has signed a peace agreement with President Salva Kiir Mayardit paving way for the integration of his forces into the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces.

Speaking to Sudans Post this afternoon, a senior opposition official allied to General Gatwech said President Kiir has told General Gatwech that he should accept the presidential advisor role that he was appointed into last year, but General Gatwech refused to take up the role.

“He (President Salva Kiir Mayardit) has asked the Chairman and Commander in Chief of the SPLM/SPLA  in Opposition Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual to take up the position which he had refused last year and the Chairman and Commander in Chief has reiterate his previous statement regarding this political position,” the official said on condition of anonymity.