Gen. Gatwech names new military chief for SPLA-IO Kitgwang

KHARTOUM, JULY 1, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) Kitgwang faction Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual has named a new military chief of staff for the group.

In an order extended to Sudans Post, Gen. Gatwech named Gen. Riek Ruai Chuol as the new chief of staff of the holdout main armed opposition faction. In separate order, Gatwech appointed Gen. Paulino Gattek Deah Kulang as the deputy chief of staff for operation.

The changes come less than a week after Gatwech accused his former chief of staff Gen. Laraka Machar of conspiring with “enemies” such as President Salva Kiir Mayardit, General Paul Malong Awan, and First Vice President Riek Machar.

Gatwech went on to allege that Laraka had communications with the deputy director-general of the general security bureau at the National Security Service in what he said meant a plot to destroy the opposition group.

Laraka responded by accusing General Gatwech being biased in the decisions he made as leader of the group and claimed that the SPLA-IO KD military command had sat to remove Gatwech from his position as leader and dismissed his membership.