Machar’s SPLA-IO faction says Gatwech preparing to attack

JUBA – South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny has accused forces belonging to former SPLA-IO chief of staff Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual of preparing attack against its forces in northern Upper Nile state.

This comes a day after Gen. Gatwech’s forces accused Machar’s forces of launching attacks in Upper Nile state’s Nasir, parts of Jonglei state, and northern Upper Nile state’s Magenis, resulting in the killing of at least two soldiers.

Colonel Lam Paul Gabriel, the SPLA-IO spokesman allied to Machar denied that the SPLA-IO forces had attacked General Simon Gatwech Dual’s forces and said Gen. Gatwech’s forces have been preparing to attack their positions in Upper Nile state.

“We have been on the outskirts of Magenis in a place called Khorjala. There was no attack in Magenis. What we know is that the Kit Gwang forces have been reorganizing and reinforcing in Magenis town to attack us,” Lam said, according to Radio Tamazuj.

However, Brig. Gen. William Gatjiath Deng, the opposition military spokesman allied to Gen. Gatwech denied that there were preparations to attack Machar’s forces, but then said they are boosting security in Magenis in anticipation of attacks from Machar’s forces.

“Two days ago, two of our officers were killed within the town. So, can we not reorganize to protect ourselves?  We are for peace. Since August 7, we have been attacked seven times. We did not move out from our defensive positions. But honestly, anytime from now, we will fight these people (Machar faction) because they are not for peace with us,” he said.