Gen. Maguek threatens to call reinforcement from Koch, Mayendit

JUBA – South Sudan army commander General Simon Maguek Gai has threatened to recall his forces from Koch and Mayendit counties of Unity State if attacks on his troops in Leer County by the SPLA-IO opposition group continue.

The threat comes after a senior military officer allied to Maguek was killed in sustained fighting at a local primary school in Leer town yesterday. The SPLA-IO accused Maguek’s forces of initiating an attack on Kaigai village, where opposition forces were stationed.

Speaking to Sudans Post last night, Maguek alleged that he is being prevented from visiting his birthplace in Pilieny by the SPLA-IO forces of First Vice President Riek Machar. He further warned that he would recall reinforcements if attacks on him persist.

“I have been in Leer for several weeks, and I am being prevented by Riek’s forces from visiting my home village where I was born up to this day,” Maguek said.

“I have forces in Koch and Mayendit, and of course, they will come to support me if they continue to attack. I will call them, and they are just one to two hours away. If I call, they will come in minutes to reinforce me,” he added.

Maguek, who was a senior commander of the SPLA-IO until his defection to the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in early October, also denied claims by the SPLA-IO that he launched the attack. He accused Machar of initiating the conflict by transporting troops from Ayod County, in eastern Nile.

“The attack was initiated by the SPLA-IO against my forces, and it is publicly known because Dr. Riek brought troops from the direction of Ayod. Around 380 soldiers and officers plus the forces that are already here from Dr. Riek,” he said.

“They attacked us this morning, and it is not us who attacked. It is them who attacked us at around 5:00 AM today in Leer,” he added.

When asked about concerns raised by the general population regarding his presence in Leer, Maguek maintained that he is a citizen of Leer and sees no reason why people would fear him as a son of the area.

“Why people would be afraid of me? That’s not true because I am a son of Leer. I have been in Leer for several weeks, and I am being prevented by Riek’s forces from visiting my home village where I was born up to this day,” he added.