![A Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) commander dons the new insignia of the 4th Division petroleum defense unit in Bentiu, Unity State, South Sudan on Friday, May 11, 2012. [Photo by Peter Muller/AP Photo]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/D7981C49-6929-4ED1-ADF4-4F59F30D0A15-scaled.jpg?ssl=1)
In a statement extended to Sudans Post, Major General Gatkhor Tut Chuol who captured Mirmir cantonment site on orders of General Simon Gatwech said the former SPLA-IO military chief was not serious on the implementation of the Khartoum peace agreement.
“This is to inform the general public that I am switching my side from General Simon Gatwech Dual of the Kitgwang faction and join the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces under President Salva Kiir Mayardit with immediate effect,” the general said in the statement.
“My decision comes after a close observation of the implementation of the Khartoum Peace Agreement for the integration of our forces to South Sudan People’s Defense Forces which General Gatwech Dual is not serious about,” he added.
The opposition officer who defected from Machar earlier this year said he sees no reason to remain with General Gatwech who he said has no vision to advance the stabilization of the country.
“I see no any viable reason to remain with General Gatwech because he has no vision for taking the country back to stability and there, I have decided to take the matter into my own hand and joint the national army under the President of the Republic General Dr. Salva Kiir Mayardit,” he added.
General Gatwech defected from SPLA-IO in August last year and signed a peace agreement in the Sudanese capital Khartoum with representatives of President Salva Kiir’s SPLM-IG in January.
The agreement provides for the integration of General Simon Gatwech’s forces within a matter of three months, but three months down the road, the agreement remains unimplemented causing frustration among Gen. Gatwech’s team.
