Top Machar official rules out renegotiation of peace deal to accommodate defectors

JUBA – A senior member of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny has ruled out the renegotiation of the revitalized peace agreement.

This comes after senior opposition officials including Machar’s deputy announced in a statement that they were joining the SPLA-IO Kitgwang faction led by former SPLA-IO military General Simon Gatwech Dual.

In a statement, Dut Majokdit, a member of the SPLM-IO National Liberation Council and close Machar ally said the agreement won’t be renegotiated stressing that the people of South Sudan have suffered under the continued defections that have characterized the country’s politics.

“For those who think that the Peace Agreement that we are implementing here in Juba will be renegotiated due to the defections from SPLM/A-IO, please convinced yourself. People of South Sudan want Genuine and Sustainable Peace for themselves and their families”, Majongdit said in a statement,” Majokdit said.

He dismissed calls that General Simon Gatwech Dual is the new powerful leader of the main armed opposition group, saying the SPLM-IO has ever only known Machar as its leader.

“We have one Chairman and one Commander in Chief His Excellency Dr Riek Machar, First Vice President in the country. If there are others who entitled themselves to be Chairman, Good luck for them. But what I know the SPLM-IO is determined to Change Political Path,” he added.