Kiir’s government debunks alleged assassination plot against rebel leader

NAIROBI – South Sudan’s government on Monday dismissed as “baseless and unfounded” an accusation by opposition leader Stephen Buay Rolnyang of the South Sudan People’s Movement (SSPM) that security agents attempted to assassinate him in Nairobi.

Dozens of rebel leaders are currently in the Kenyan capital for peace talks aimed at ending the conflict that has ravaged the country since late 2013.

In a statement released early Sunday, Buay alleged that security agents acting on orders from presidential advisor Tut Gatluak were present at his Nairobi hotel with the intention of killing him.

He claimed the agents included Kenyans paid by Gatluak, citing personal grievances as the motive.

South Sudan’s information minister and government spokesperson Michael Makuei rejected the claim during a press briefing following a one-day suspension of the talks.

“This accusation is untrue, unfounded, and baseless,” Makuei stated. “The South Sudanese government would never act against President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s wishes. It was President Kiir who requested President Ruto of Kenya to initiate this peace process, and we would not sabotage it by assassinating opposition leaders.”

“We need all South Sudanese involved in building peace,” Makuei added. “We don’t want further crisis. It’s unfortunate that this claim went viral. We denounce it in the strongest terms as baseless and unfounded.”

Makuei confirmed the statement by Buay caused a one-day delay in negotiations. He added that talks mediated by Kenya would resume on Tuesday.

“The unfortunate document interrupted talks for a day,” Makuei explained. “It has been addressed, and negotiations will resume with the original agenda from tomorrow onwards. We are not here for social media negotiations, but for serious discussions based on documents. This social media release was a setback.”

The Kenyan mediation team acknowledged receiving Buay’s complaint. Chief mediator Lazarus Sumbeiyo stated that security forces are investigating the incident and will make the results public.

The alleged motive for the plot remains unclear. However, Buay’s forces killed Tut Gatluak’s elder brother, Unity State’s Mayom County commissioner Maj. Gen. Chuol Gatluak, in July 2022. Tut Gatluak is the presidential security advisor.

Gatluak is also seen as responsible for the deportation from Sudan and subsequent killing of senior opposition commanders loyal to Buay in August 2022, allegedly in retaliation for the commissioner’s death.

One of the commanders, Brig. Gen. Gatluak Majiok, was burned to death in a grass-thatched house, sparking public outrage and condemnation from Juba military officials. No results have been released from the investigation formed after the killing, despite two years passing.