Ex-military chief of SPLA-IO Kitgwang renames group, renounces peace deal

KOSTI – The former military chief of the SPLA-IO Kitgwang faction, Lt. Gen. Laraka Machar Turoal, has announced the formation of a new rebel movement to replace the group and denounced the Khartoum Peace Agreement signed with the government.

Citing resolutions passed by the Military Command Council, a splinter group formed following disagreement with SPLA-IO Kitgwang leader Gen. Simon Gatwech in June, Turoal unveiled the Patriots’ Resistance Movement (PRM) in a statement released today.

The statement, released today but written following a meeting of opposition commanders on December 15^th, further justified the name change and split from Gatwech by referencing recommendations from a committee it said was formed in July 2022.

The committee’s recommendations, according to the PRM, were “disregarded by Gatwech for selfish reasons.”

Effective immediately, the PRM replaces the SPLM/SPLA IO KD, with Turoal assuming the role of Chairman and Commander-in-Chief until a General Assembly convenes.

“The Military Command Council also designates Gen. Laraka Machar Turoal, the current Chief of General Staff, to the position of Chairman and Commander In Chief prior to the General Assembly meeting,” the statement said.

It formed a technical committee which will revise the group’s foundational documents to reflect its new identity, while a newly established “Political Executive Council” – equivalent to political bureau – will handle leadership matters.

The PRM pledges to maintain existing partnerships and joint tasks based on shared interests, but significantly, distances itself from the Khartoum Peace Agreement.

“The Military Command Council reassures our partners to the continuation of relationships in the areas of mutual interest and joint tasks,” it added.

The statement further directed all military units to officially reject and disown Gatwech’s leadership immediately.

Turoal was dismissed from his position by Gatwech in June last year after the later accused him of collaborating with “enemies” such as head of the National Security Service (NSS) and First Vice President Riek Machar.

Turoal responded by rallying most senior members of the group and suspended Gatwech from his position, accusing him of single-handedly running affairs of the movement in contrary to the procedures provided for in the group’s constitution.