South Sudan needs ‘neutral’ international intervention to end bloodshed – Gen. Gatwech

JUBA, MARCH 4, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – South Sudan’s opposition military commander Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual on Friday called for what he said should be “a neutral” international intervention to end the escalating violence in South Sudan, saying President Salva Kiir’s government has failed to bring peace more than four years after signing a peace agreement.

In a statement to communicate his position on the extension of the transitional period, Gatwech said President Salva Kiir’s unity government has failed to implement the peace agreement and that the extension is nothing more or less than extension of the term of the government in office at the suffering of the people of South Sudan.

“The current government has failed to carry out its mandate, including implementing the peace accord and protecting civilians, therefore extending the term of R-TGoNU will continue to prolong the suffering of ordinary citizens and the whole country will break down as parties to the peace deal extended only their own time in power for two years,” he said.

“The SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang rejects the extension of the current government’s term and call for a broad-based process to ensure the inclusivity of South Sudan’s transition to lasting peace and democracy,” the controversial opposition commander added.

Gatwech who is the leader of the breakaway SPLM/SPLA (IO) Kitgwang faction cited recent attack on local farmers by cattle herders from Jonglei State in Kajo-keji and UN warning of escalating violence in Upper Nile state as a legitimate ground for the international community to take immediate measures to end bloodshed in South Sudan.

“On the 2^nd of February 27 people were killed in Kajo-Keji county of Central Equatoria State on the eve of Pope Francis’s visit to South Sudan and in the same February United Nation Mission in South Sudan warns of looming violence in Upper Nile State followed by the recent suspension of WFP movement in some parts of Greater Jonglei State as crossroad attacks grows,” he said.

“As situation in the country evolve and reaching a critical level with a limited presence of state institutions in some areas and lower-level clashes between rival communities flare up, the SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang would like to call upon regional and international actors to urgently intervene in neutral manner before the situation branch out of control in South Sudan,” he added.