Gen. Gatwech’s intelligence chief resigns

JUBA, OCTOBER 26, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The Director-General of the General Intelligence Services (GIS) of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/SPLA-IO) Kitgwang, led by General Simon Gatwech Dual, has resigned over citing other commitments.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post, Lieutenant General Samuel Mut Gai Dhap did not provide further details on his reasons for resigning but expressed happiness with the achievements made during his tenure.

“It is with great sadness that I must resign as Director General of GIS and a member of SPLA/M (IO) KD with immediate effect,” Dhap said in the statement dated October 24, 2023.

“My other commitments have become too great for me to be able to fulfill the requirements of my position as Director General of General Intelligence Services and a member of the SPLA/M IO KD. I feel it is best for me to make room for someone with the time and energy to devote to the task,” he added.

The senior opposition commander further said, “it has been a pleasure being a part of SPLA/M IO KD” and also said he is “proud of all we have accomplished in the past three years since the declaration of SPLA/M IO KD. I have no doubt that SPLA/M IO KD will continue to be successful in the future.”

Dhap’s resignation is the latest in a series of defections from Gatwech’s faction, which split from the main armed opposition SPLM-IO under First Vice President Riek Machar in June 2021.

In July last year, Gatwech’s deputy, General Johnson Olony Thabo, announced his ouster. This year, Gatwech’s chief of military staff, General Laraka Machar, also announced his ouster a week after being expelled by Gatwech.

Laraka said the reason for removing Gatwech is because he was unilaterally taking decisions that were not compatible with the group’s policies.

Gatwech had accused Laraka of conspiring with “enemies” such as President Salva Kiir Mayardit, General Paul Malong Awan, and First Vice President Riek Machar before expelling him from the holdout opposition faction.