Machar-allied commander, forces declare allegiance to Gen. Gatwech

JUBA – A South Sudanese opposition commander of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition Allied to First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny has declared, along with his forces, his allegiance to former SPLA-IO chief of General Staff General Simon Gatwech Dual, according to Brigadier General William Gatjiath Deng.

In a statement, General Gatjiath who is the spokesman of the Kitgwang SPLA-IO faction said Brigadier General William Malual Yak Yak who was the commander of the Machar-allied forces at Meirem base has declared his intention to leave Machar and join the Kitgwang forces of SPLA-IO under Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual.

“The office of information for Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition SPLA (IO) would like to inform the public that Brig. Gen William Malual Yak Yak, whose military base is situated at Al Meirem has publicly come out and declared his full allegiance with (130) officers, NCOs, and men to support Kit-Gwang Declaration, under the leadership of the interim Chairman and Commander in Chief (C-in-C) General Simon Gatwech Dual,” General Gatwech said in a statement extended to Sudans Post.

“Therefore, the leadership has paid a warm welcome to the team with jubilee and joyous mood for all,” he added in the statement.

General Gatwech is a controversial former SPLA-IO chief of staff who attempted – in early August – to remove First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny from the leadership of the SPLM/SPLA (IO) following a three-day gathering of top opposition commanders at Kitgwang, a northern-most town located in northern Upper Nile state.

He declared himself Interim Chairman and Commander in Chief of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition and vowed to engage in any talks with President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s government that may trigger genuine implementation of the revitalized peace agreement which he said has been compromised by Machar.

Following the declaration, First Vice President Machar dismissed the replacement as an attempt by unidentified ‘peace spoilers’ who he said want to do away with the implementation of the security arrangements which is the most important, but difficult, part of the revitalized peace agreement.

The SPLM-IO mainstream in Juba has also accused General Simon Gatwech Dual of being used for anti-peace purposes by the government. Some pro-Machar activists have also accused Gatwech if planning to join the government of President Salva Kiir pointing to a June recorded phone call in which General Gatwech’s media aide Brigadier-General William Gatjiath Deng has revealed how he met General Akol Koor Kuc for possible return to Juba.