JUBA – Fierce fighting has erupted between two forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny and forces loyal to General Khor Chuol, the senior SPLA-IO commander who defected last month to South Sudan People’s Defense Forces in Longechuk County of Upper Nile state.
General Khor announced his defection following the SPLM-IO split in early August in which former SPLA-IO Chief of Staff General Simon Gatwech Dual announced the ouster of Machar at Magenis’ Kitgwang two following a three-day gathering of top opposition commanders including General Johnson Olony Thabo.
Speaking to Sudans Post this afternoon, General James Khor Chuol said opposition forces allied to First Vice President Machar led by Longechuk County Commissioner Dak Tut Dei went out to attack their assembly area which he said has recently been designated for them by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces command in Juba.
“This morning, 6th of September 2021, forces of Dr. Riek Machar attacked my forces. That attack is being spearheaded by Riek Machar’s commissioner of Longechuk County Dak Tut Dei and the reason is that they want us to leave the area which is against the peace agreement because we are already a part of the government,” Gen. Khor said.
The senior opposition commander said he and other relevant authorities in the area which are loyal to him are still collecting information about casualties claiming the commissioner of Longechuk County has been defeated back to the two where he came from along with his forces and there are heavy casualties on their part.
“You the fighting took place in the morning at around 6 AM and the commissioner came with a very big force from the local communities and local youth. The SPLA-IO doesn’t have forces in the area and that’s why they have to go and get local youth for fight for Riek Machar, those small boys,” he said.
SPLA-IO spokesman Colonel Lam Paul Gabriel did not immediately reply to a request for comment from Sudans Post.
