![General Simon Gatwech Dual [Photo from a screen grab from YouTube]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/gatwech-dual.png?resize=691%2C368&ssl=1)
In a letter addressed to the Kenyan mediation on Tuesday, Gatwech outlined a combination of factors influencing his decision, with security concerns in Nairobi taking center stage and called for relocation of talks to a new venue until security concerns in Kenyan are addressed.
He pointed to past deportations of opposition figures by the Kenyan government.
“I regret to inform you that I may not be able to attend the ongoing Tumaini initiative because of some allied factors. SPLM/A-IO senior members were abducted by Juba agents from Nairobi in 2016 and security risk in Nairobi remains high,” he said.
“Therefore, while our members are comfortable with your mediation Kitgwang would welcome continuation to engage in the initiative by moving to new talk venue until mediation, [SPLM-IO] Kitgwang would welcome continuation to engage in the initiative by moving to a new talk venue until mediation addresses the security of other countries’ dissidents in Kenya,” he added.
By abduction, Gatwech was specifically referring to the 2017 case of Aggrey Iddri and Dong Samuel Luak. A UN Panel of Experts report documented their deaths a week following their deportation by the Kenyan government.
The Kenyan government in November 2016 arrested and handed over opposition leader Riek Machar’s press secretary James Gatdet Dak to the authorities in South Sudan where he was imprisoned until late 2019.
A civil society activist known as Morris Garang was recently arrested and deported to South Sudan where he is being kept in detention.
Gatwech also expressed dissatisfaction with the timing of the invitation, highlighting logistical challenges in reaching the talks on such short notice, and criticized the Juba government’s apparent exclusion of his group from initial considerations for participation.
“The letter came late after the opening of the session,” Gatwech said. “It was evident that Kitgwang was not considered in the corridors of power in Juba to participate.”
He placed blame on the government of President Salva Kiir for the failure of previous peace agreements. He cited a January 2022 agreement signed in Khartoum as an example, advocating for a “more suitable mechanism” to address South Sudan’s longstanding issues.
“The letter came late after the opening of the session. I live in a remote war infested area and my troops are scattered within South Sudan consulting them was difficult and it took us a week to reach a consensus, and there was difficulty in getting travel permissions adequately through Sudan. It was evident that Kitgwang was not considered in the corridors of power in juba to participate, while it is known that SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang is the remaining largest opposition in South Sudan,” he said.
“SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang is committed to resolving South Sudan’s decade-long issues amicably and peacefully SPLM/A-IO has concluded three agreements with government in juba which all failed to be implemented due to the South Sudan government’s intransigence these agreements include the2015 ARCSS, 2018 R- ARCSS and a particular agreements in Khartoum in January 2022 that has also failed considering Juba’s obduracy and lack of political will, Kitgwang and allies believe a more suitable mechanism is needed to address the pressing governance, security, economic, social and environmental issues afflicting South Sudan,” he added.
Gatwech’s decision echoes concerns raised by another opposition leader, General Stephen Buay Rolnyang of the South Sudan People’s Movement (SSUMP). Buay alleged threats to his life by South Sudanese and Kenyan agents acting on behalf of presidential advisor Tut Gatluak.
The Kenyan-mediated talks, known as the “Tumaini initiative,” aim to bring non-signatories of the Revitalized Agreement for Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCISS) into the peace process.
Currently, around nine opposition groups are participating, including the Real SPLM and SSUF. However, significant holdouts like the National Salvation Front and the National Democratic Movement remain absent.
This is not the first time Kenyan mediate for South Sudanese belligerents. One of its notable roles in bring peace to Sudan was the mediation between then rebel SPLA and the Islamist military dictatorship in Khartoum.
That initiative led to the birth of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that brought about independence for South Sudan.
Despite declining the invitation, Gatwech expressed appreciation for Kenya’s historical role in mediating peace agreements. He also reiterated his commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to South Sudan’s conflicts.
