Machar official denies reports of planned replacement for Olony

JUBA – A senior member of South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, and close ally to First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny is claiming that Machar didn’t spoke to Olony about being replaced as reported by Sudans Post yesterday, despite General Johnson Olony Thabo, saying in a statement directed to Machar on Friday that he rejects being replaced as the SPLM-IO nominee for Upper Nile state.

On Friday, General Olony said in a statement addressed to Machar that he is committed to the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement and that he rejects suggestions that he would be replaced by another nominee because he couldn’t go to Juba before his appointment.

Earlier on Friday, two senior SPLM-IO military officers told Sudans Post that Machar had called General Olony to tell him that he must immediately return to Juba for his immediate appointment, or otherwise he be replaced with another nominee because his refusal to return to Juba was hampering implementation of the revitalized peace agreement in Juba.

However, senior SPLM-IO member, Dut Majokdit, said in a statement to Sudans Post this morning that the reports are not true claiming that Machar do not want to replace General Johnson Olony.

“The allegations circulating on the social media regarding General Olony being replaced by Dr Riek Machar Teny, Chairman of the SPLM-IO, is not true and those who are spreading lairs between Johnson and Dr Riek Machar should have to cease and give peaceful settlement a chance,” he said.

“FVP and Chairman of the SPLM-IO His Excellency Dr Riek Machar Teny has no intention to replace General Johnson Olony as the SPLM-IO nominee for Upper Nile State governorship. Those who are behind this rumors should stop this act.

“What happened in Juba yesterday was Upper Nile State consultative meeting between Comrade Chairman Dr Machar and Upper Nile State communities in the SPLM-IO to discuss issues to do with peace and reconciliation in Upper Nile and possible solution to the deadlock over General Johnson’s appointment by the President.

“There was no decision to replace General Johnson Olony on that meeting yesterday but he was ask to come to Juba for the appointment during the consultative meeting otherwise Olony call former Fashoda Federal State Political and Military leaders to decide and think over the matter.

“Therefore they have come out with that resolutions which is circulating on social media now. that General Johnson will not come to Juba unless he’s appointed.”