Gatwech to be named deputy commander-in-chief of SSPDF as part of new peace deal

PORT SUDAN – South Sudan rebel leader Simon Gatwech Dual, head of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) Kitgwang faction, will be appointed deputy commander-in-chief of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) under a new peace agreement signed on Monday in Port Sudan.

The agreement, facilitated by the Sudanese government, aims to integrate Gatwech’s forces into the national army, addressing grievances that led to his split from the main opposition group led by First Vice President Riek Machar Teny.

The peace agreement echoes a 2006 agreement between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the South Sudan Defense Forces (SSDF) led by General Paulino Matip, who was appointed deputy commander-in-chief, a position that was abolished after his death in 2008, but has now been reinstated for Gatwech.

Gatwech, in a statement to Sudans Post, emphasized the agreement’s key points and the need for full implementation within 12 months. He reiterated the SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang’s commitment to peace and stability, saying the movement arose from popular demands to end the conflict.

“The SPLM/A-IO KD emerged from the resolute demands of our people for peace and stability. We remain steadfast advocates for the well-being of our citizens across the country, defending our position against the daily struggles they face,” Gatwech said in the statement.

He explained that the 2022 Khartoum peace agreement collapsed due to a lack of political will within the government, but credited President Salva Kiir Mayardit for tasking Gen. Akech Tong Aleu, Director General of the Internal Security Bureau, to engage with the SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang through Sudanese mediation, leading to renewed negotiations and the current agreement.

“In recent months, our leadership team has engaged with the Government in Juba to resume critical peace negotiations. The previous peace agreement signed in 2022 in Khartoum collapsed due to a lack of political will among certain individuals within the government who were not committed to peace,” he said.

“In response, President Salva Kiir Mayardit tasked Gen. Akech Tong Aleu, Director General of the Internal Security Bureau, National Security Service, to engage with SPLM/A-IO KD via Sudanese authorities. Following multiple meetings, facilitated by the Sudanese government, both parties have risen above their differences and prioritized the interests of our people, reaffirming peace as the essential solution to end our nation’s suffering,” he added.

Under the agreement, an SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang delegation will travel to Juba to begin implementation. It calls for the reorganization and training of 21,900 SPLA-IO Kitgwang forces for integration into the SSPDF and other organized forces, including police, prisons, wildlife, national security, and customs.

Gatwech said he will remain in Port Sudan until the first phase of implementation is complete, with his headquarters forces preparing to travel to Juba. The remaining SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang forces will be directed to designated assembly areas for four months of training. He said his appointment as deputy commander-in-chief of the SSPDF will be formalized by presidential decree before his arrival in Juba.

The agreement also allocates key government positions at national, state, and county levels to the SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang, along with parliamentary seats.

Gatwech stressed the 12-month implementation timeline, requiring mutual agreement for any extensions. He warned that the SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang reserves the right to withdraw from the agreement if conditions are not met, calling for unity in what he termed a “crucial moment” for South Sudan.

The agreement’s similarity to the 2006 agreement with Paulino Matip, who was also appointed deputy commander-in-chief, raises questions about its long-term impact on stability and the potential for future conflict.