Opposition general rejects appointment as zonal commander by Gen. Gatwech

JUBA, JULY 3, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – A South Sudan opposition commander of the main armed opposition SPLA-IO Kitgwang faction led by General Simon Gatwech Dual has turned down an appointment as zonal commander.

Gen. Gatwech today appointed Gen. Kerbino Ter Majak as the commander of the SPLA-IO zone in Unity State.

But in a statement, Ter said he was shocked to learn of the appointment, saying that Gatwech has no power to make appointments because he was dismissed by the SPLA-IO KD military command council last week.

“This afternoon, 3 July 2023, I was shocked to learn of my appointment as Commander of the Petroleum (Bentiu) Zonal Command by former chairman and commander in chief of the SPLM/SPLA (IO) KD 1st Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual,” he said.

“I am hereby informing the public of my rejection of the appointment. This is because 1st Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech was on June 28 removed as chair and C-in-C of SPLM/SPLA (IO) KD by the SPLM/A IO Military Command Council (MCC).

“Therefore, Gen. Gatwech has no power to make appointments, including the one for myself,” he added.

He called on Gatwech “to respect the resolutions of the MCC and to cease all attempts to undermine the authority of the MCC” and said he remains “committed to the SPLM/SPLA (IO) KD and to the cause of peace and democracy in South Sudan.”

He further called on “all members of the movement to unite behind the MCC and to work together to achieve our common goals.”

Last week, Gatwech dismissed his chief of staff General Laraka Machar, accusing him of collaborating with President Salva Kiir, General Paul Malong Awan and First Vice President Riek Machar of the SPLM-IO mainstream.

Laraka went on to response by saying that a meeting of the SPLA-IO Kitgwang military command council resolved to withdraw confidence from General Gatwech because of biased decisions and expelled him from the movement.