![South Sudan map featuring Upper Nile state in red [Photo by Wikipedia]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/1200px-Upper_Nile_Map.svg_.png?ssl=1)
The fighting, the official said, begun when forces belonging to former opposition commander, Maj. Gen. Khor Chuol Giet, went deep to attack some areas in Longechuk under the control of the SPLA-IO faction allied First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, sparking the clash.
“Some junior officers allied to General Khor Chuol went and attacked out forces in Longechuk County and this resulted in a response by our forces and this is the cause of the fighting which I can said has just ended as I speak,” the official said on condition of anonymity.
But in a statement, Payam administrators for Malou, Jongjith and Wechlual, accused the SPLA-IO under Machar of standing behind the renewed clashes in the area saying SPLM-IO-nominated commissioner of Longechuk County had ordered attack on the three Payams.
“Dak Tut Dey, the Commissioner of Longechuk County, has just ordered SPLA IO Forces under Maj. Gen. Pal Gatkuoth and Brig. Gen. Nhial Gatchay to attack our 3 Payams who have declared their support to His Excellency President Kiir and SPLM. We are ready to defend ourselves and our people,” they said in the statement extended to Sudans Post.
“This war monger Dak Tut Dey and torturer who tortured and ordered James Guek Ruot to get the phone of the Commissioner, which felt inside the toilet to get it out, must be brought to book. People of Longechuk have enough of him,” they lamented.
This commissioner of Longechuk County must be brought to court. He had abused citizen by ordering him to go inside toilets and digging deeper human waste products in order to bring his cell phone back. Upper Nile State governor has failed to put him in jail because this is not abusing James Guek Ruot but also it will cause sickness to him in the near future.
I think this is the time to bring all Armies together and make sure no one is claiming his own soldiers in the country. The issue of having separated Army in a tiny country is useless supposed, if the unified forces have failed through politicians who worked for their own interests rather than the country interests.
I think if the Top leaders wanted to see young nation moving forward and if they are willing for fully reconciliation, forgiveness healing process and peaceful coexistence among South Sudanese people perhaps, they must come forward and says, let all Armies be recognized by Chief of staff and Defense ministry and others Military leaders instead of saying, this is a SPLA I0 for first vice President Riek Machar Teny, this is a SSPDF soldiers for President Salva Kiir Mayardit, this is a Kitgwang faction for general Simon Gatwech Dual and two others generals, it is very useless, unwise and foolish thinking. If they separation of Armed is not aviod then, the young nation will never see a good development, peace and good future for generations to come. You can even beating up the President Salva Kiir Mayardit by voting but the Idea of weapons is very deadly Idea.
If Dr. Riek Machar wanted to win coming general election thus, he has to give up for Armed and focusing on how to defeat President Salva Kiir Mayardit by voting. He is not a Military man, but he was academic man and I don’t see any reason why he is sticking with Army support instead of organizing his political tools. I am telling them to come to real senses and do what is right for our people and the country. Dr. Riek Machar is not supposed to have deadlock most of the time about Commanding arrangements, he is not equivalent to the President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Kiir has more authority than him and Kiir also he is a Military guy.