Gen. Gatwech sacks and expels military chief over alleged links with Kiir

JUBA, JUNE 25, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – South Sudan opposition commander and leader of the SPLA-IO Kitgwang faction Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual has relieved the group’s chief of staff, Gen. Laraka Machar Turoal, before demoting and expelling him from the rebel movement.

In the order dated June 24, 2023, Gen. Gatwech stated that his chief of staff travelled to the Kenyan capital Nairobi to meet General Paul Malong Awan, leader of the South Sudan United Front/Army, without his knowledge.

“1^st Lt. Gen. Laraka Machar Turoal, the Chief of Staff for SPLA-IO KD went to Nairobi and met with SSUF/A leader Gen. Paul Malong Awan without knowledge from the office of Chairman and Commander in Chief of SPLM/A (IO) KD,” he said.

Gatwech also alleged that he has information that General Laraka also has daily communication with the deputy director of general intelligence agency General Gregory Deng Kuac who is also a brother-in-law to President Salva Kiir Mayardit, and also with First Vice President Riek Machar in April.

“[He] had a daily communication with Maj. Gen Gregory Deng Kuac, the Deputy Director General of the General Intelligence Bureau of the National Security Service (NSS) and a brother-in-law of President Salva Kiir Mayardit,” Gatwech said.

“On 20^th April 2023, he also made a surprise phone connection call with Dr. Riek Machar Teny online without first to notify the Chairman and Commander in Chief of SPLM/A (IO) KD on what prompt the phone connection and immediately, the connection was switch off by the SPLM/A (IO) KD Leader,” he added.

The top opposition commander further alleged that General Laraka “has built a concrete house in Kampala through the bribery money from Juba” and further stated that Laraka was undermining efforts he said his group has made with friends.

“He has abandoned the cause of the struggle cheaply for his own personal interest and give out vital information to the Juba regime [and he has no effective communication with the office of the chairman and commander in chief of the SPLM/SPLA (IO) KD,” he said.

Gatwech concluded his order that Laraka has “committed a serious offense” which he said is punishable under the SPLA Act of 2009 that the SPLA-IO Kitgwang amended in 2022.