Machar ally apologizes after calling for investigation into Manawa’s death

JUBA – Outspoken Machar ally and senior member of South Sudan’s main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), Dut Majokdit, has apologized after calling for investigation into the death of South Sudan minister of water resources and irrigation Manawa Peter  Gatkuoth Gual, saying he has been misquoted by the media.

Gatkuoth who is also the minister of water resources and irrigation in the unity government and the spokesman of the main armed opposition group died on Sunday morning under unclear circumstances in the Egyptian capital Cairo where he was flown in for a medical emergency related to his chest.

Majokdit, told Sudans Post from Northern Bahr el Ghazal state capital Aweil on Sunday that the main armed opposition group will not leave the death of the minister Manawa without an investigation.

“The movement under the chairman and commander in chief Dr. Riek Machar Teny will not let this go without investigation. This surprise death of Comrade Manawa will be done in a way that will tell the public, the people of South Sudan in general and the SPLM-IO membership in particular the circumstances of his death,” he told Sudans Post Sunday afternoon.

But in a statement to Sudans Post this afternoon, Majokdit who is also the Chairperson of Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) for Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, said he was misquoted by the media and apologized for calling for investigation into Gatkuoth’s death.

“I apologize for being misquoted as saying that the SPLM (IO) will investigate the surprise death of Hon. Manawa Peter Gatkuoth Gual. I am here to extend my sincere heartfelt condolences to his family and comrades in the struggle,” he said in the statement.