Gen. Gatwech’s group claims Machar ‘apologized’ for Magenis attack, denies rumors of return to Juba 

JUBA – General Simon Gatwech Dual’s SPLM-IO faction has denied an assertion by acting press secretary of FVP Dr. Riek Machar Teny and SPLM-IO Director of Information and Public Relations Puok Both Baluang that General Johnson Olony, a key member of the Kitgwang faction, had called Machar to discuss recent fighting in the area.

Late on Thursday, Baluang said in a statement that Machar “received today August 11, 2021 two telephone calls at 11:54 AM and 05:50 PM from Lt. Gen. Johnson Olony, member of the Kit Gwang Declaration group led by SPLA (IO) former Chief of General Staff Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual.”

He said Olony had informed Machar of “their group’s acceptance of the ceasefire. In an amicable atmosphere, H.E. the Chairman and Commander -in- Chief emphasized the need to resolve peacefully the incident that took place in Magenis in Upper Nile State.”

However, in a statement responding to Baluang’s statement, Gatjiath claimed that it was Machar who called to ask for apology on the recent fighting in which he said the opposition leader acknowledged his forces were the first attack the Kitgwang faction.

“Dr. Riek Machar, himself was the one who called Gen. Johnson Olony Thabo to deliver his apology on behalf of SPLM/A (IO) for launching an attack against the SPLA-IO Forces in Kit-Gwang (Magenis),” part of the statement by General Gatjiath reads.

He said Machar “informed Gen. Johnson Olony, about the cessation of hostilities between the two forces.”

Separately, Nyamilepedia reported, quoting an unnamed official, denying that General Simon Gatwech Dual had returned to Juba, saying the powerful opposition commander was still in Magenis and does not intends to go to Juba.