JUBA – A South Sudan holdout opposition group has threatened to send reinforcement to defend General Simon Gatwech Dual, the SPLA-IO Chief of Staff, if he is attacked by government forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his first deputy Dr. Riek Machar Teny.
This comes following two weeks after General Simon Gatwech Dual refused to take up the position of presidential peace advisor following his appointment by President Salva Kiir Mayardit upon nomination by Machar.
In a statement extended to Sudans Post on Monday, United Democratic Revolutionary Movement /Army (UDRM/A), a holdout rebel group that is part of the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA), said it is in solidarity with General Simon Gatwech and is ready to provide defense if the SPLA-IO military chief is attacked.
“In solidarity, therefore, UDRM/A cordially extends its revolutionary salute and congratulation to 1st Lt. General Simon Gatwech on his unequivocal stand in forfeiting his personal interest for that of South Sudanese people, making him first of a kind high profile official to turn down a lucrative post in a country where senior citizens are obsessed with power and its trappings,” the statement signed by the group’s Secretary-General Deng Vanang reads in part.
“And further assures him and his gallant forces of unreserved support morally, politically and militarily if aggressed by predatory forces of President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his perennial arch rival turned friendly First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon,” he added.
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