General Gatwech removes Machar, declares himself interim SPLM-IO chairman

JUBA — South Sudan’s holdout main armed opposition commander General Simon Gatwech Dual has removed Dr. Riek Machar Teny as leader of the main armed opposition SPLM-IO and has declared himself the interim leader of the group.

Speaking to Sudans Post from Magenis this evening, General Thomas Mabor Dhol, one of the senior SPLM-IO commanders opposing Machar said the declaration has been signed by all holdout SPLM-IO commanders representing all SPLA-IO sectors with exception of those in Juba.

“This declaration has been signed by all commanding officers of all the SPLA-IO sectors, anyone outside Juba has signed the declaration and this is why we have a strong position to call for return to negotiating table with the government,” he said.

The top opposition commander further revealed that General Johnson Olony Thabo has been appointed the interim deputy chairman and commander in chief of the SPLA-IO.

“For now, General Simon Gatwech Dual will serve as the Chairman and Commander in Chief of the SPLM/A-IO and he will be deputized by General Johnson Olony Thabo. They will serve until when time come for the SPLM/SPLA-IO is able to conduct a national convention,” General Mabor added.

The latest declaration comes only two days after General Gatwech said in a statement that a decision was being prepared by the group in Magenis after the SPLM-IO in Juba said early that General Gatwech had been replaced by General Gabriel audio Lam who would serve as the acting chief of staff.

General Gatwech has previously rejected his removal by Machar following his appointment as a presidential peace envoy by President Salva Kiir Mayardit after nomination by Machar who apparently thought to distance him from military affairs following a number of disagreements.