SPLM-IO to name replacement for Odwar, Mabior Garang

JUBA – South Sudan’s main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar is expected soon to fill all the vacant seats including the docket of the former deputy, Henry Dilah Odwar, and former chairperson for Information Mabior Garang De Mabior.

Mabior Garang had recently shifted side from Machar’s SPLM-IO to the Kitgwang faction of Gen. Simon Gatwech in August.

In August, Henry Odwar, the movement’s deputy chairman and former mining minister switched his loyalty to General Simon Gatwech Dual, who led the push to oust Machar.

Speaking to Sudans on Friday, the SPLM-IO Director for Information and Public Relations, Puok Both Baluang said the party has organized its structures after several members defected.

“According to our constitution, the deputy chair for all structures of the movement has to be a member of National Liberation Council (NLC) and we have filled all the vacuum head of appointment of deputy chair and other chairpersons,” Baluang said.

“The chairperson for National Committee for Information and Public Relation, Mabior Garang has defected and joined Kit-Gwang and his position will be filled as well based on completion of members of NLC,” Baluang said.

Baluang who is also acting press secretary in the office of the First Vice President said the announcement will be made soon, not only for the deputy chair but for other chairpersons of standing committees.

“We have done the selections to fulfill empty vacant in National Liberation Council because we had empty vacant for those who defected and those who lost in the struggle,” he said