Gen. Gatwech refuses to reconcile Machar for attacking own forces

JUBA – Self-imposed leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) General Simon Gatwech Dual has said he is not in talk with First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny and is not in a position to do so.

In an interview with Radio Tamazuj early this week, Gen. Gatwech said Machar has violated the ceasefire agreement which they had verbally agreed to which he said is an indication that the first vice president is not for peace.

“We do not have any channel of communication for negotiations with Riek because he attacked our position five times. Our dialogue is with the government. We don’t even want to see Machar anymore,” he said.

“He violated the security arrangement several times by bringing firearms by land to his forces and launching an offensive against our defensive positions. How can such a leader be the first vice president? How can you attack your own forces?” he asked.

He dismissed as untrue reports of divisions within the SPLM-IO Kitgwang faction.

“Yes, we have canceled the conference due to financial issues. But there is no division between me and Johnson Olony,” Gatwech said.

“We are in complete agreement with Johnson, and the postponement of the conference has nothing to do with the invitation of these leaders, but rather for financial reasons that led to the postponement of the conference,” he added.