Gatwech appoints envoy to Egypt as faction battles for recognition

KOSTI – The leader of South Sudan’s main armed opposition faction, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) Kitgwang, Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual has appointed a new representative to his group’s mission in Egypt.

Lt.-col. Reak Chuol Reat Chum will serve as the representative, with Alsadiq Joseph Abraham as deputy, according to an order seen by Sudans Post.

The appointments, according to the order dated June 26, 2024, were made in line with decisions from a July 2022 leadership meeting.

Chuol was previously a senior member of the SPLM-IO Committee for Political Mobilization.

The move comes as Gatwech’s faction seeks to solidify its position on the international stage amid a protracted conflict with the South Sudanese government.

Gatwech, once a top military commander under First Vice President Riek Machar, split from the main rebel group in June 2021, accusing Machar of failing to deliver on a peace deal with President Salva Kiir.

Despite signing a peace deal with Kiir in January 2022 that promised to integrate his forces into the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, Gatwech has rejected subsequent peace overtures, accusing the government of lacking sincerity in ending the conflict.

The appointment of a new envoy to Egypt underscores Gatwech’s efforts to build diplomatic ties and garner support for his faction, which has faced challenges in gaining international recognition.