![Gen. Laraka Machar Turoal. [Photo courtesy]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/099DBB99-DAA3-48CD-AA49-36794FFEAA20.png?resize=1334%2C750&quality=80&ssl=1)
Gatwech earlier this week issued an order removing Laraka from his position as chief of staff of the holdout main armed opposition faction, accusing him of having links with “enemies” such as President Salva Kiir and his first deputy Dr. Riek Machar.
In a statement, Laraka said the SPLA-IO Kitgwang military command council met and found that the steps taken by Gatwech to remove the chief of staff were biased and destructive to the main armed opposition faction and said that Gatwech has abused his powers.
“ …… we the Command Council deliberated on the said order and the precedent taken to reach the decision were confirmed biased, provocative, and destructive to the reputation and mission of SPLA IO KD,” the statement reads in part.
“The Chairman has exceedingly abused his power, personalized the SPLM/A IO KD as a private property and treats members of this reputable organization with contempt and disobedience against the rules and regulations of SPLM/A IO KD now or before,” the statement said.
The statement said that the SPLA-IO military council has decided to remove General Gatwech as chairman and dismissed his membership of the SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang effective from June 28, 2023, “in accordance with section 72 of SPLA-IO KD Act, 2022.”
The statement went on to “reinstate any SPLA IO KD officer, official wrongfully dismissed, terminated or demoted in accordance with this order as mandated by the Act” and called for “urgent meeting of the leadership of SPLM/A IO KD leadership to be organized early July 2023.”
It said that the meeting will be conducted “under the auspices of the Deputy Chairman, Secretary General, Secretaries, the Chief of General Staff and members of the Command Council to determine the fate of SPLM/A IO KD.”
