Gatwech accuses oil minister of commanding forces in Upper Nile state’s Nasir

JUBA – South Sudan controversial opposition commander and leader of the breakaway SPLA-IO faction General Simon Gatwech Dual who signed a peace agreement with the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit last month has claimed that forces loyal to South Sudan oil minister Puot Kang Chuol have attacked his positions outside Nasir County in Upper Nile state.

Gatwech last month signed an agreement with the government of President Kiir. The agreement provides for an amnesty against him and his forces, and the integration of the SPLA-IO Kitgwang forces into the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF). President Salva Kiir has already issued a general amnesty for Gatwech and his forces.

In a brief social media statement, James Kalany Mamuon, the press secretary for Gen. Gatwech, said they have received reports that opposition forces allied to the minister of oil and senior member of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition Puok Kang Chuol have attacked their positions in Nasir country, but then said they have been repulsed.

“It’s reported that, the forces allied to the current Minister of Petroleum, Puot Kang attacking our positions around Nasir, but they were repulsed with heavy losses from their side,” he said, without citing further details as to when, and where exactly the alleged incident took place.