SPLA-IO accuses army of supporting attack by Gen. Olony on its base in Upper Nile  

JUBA – The Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA-IO), the military wing of the main armed opposition SPLM-IO led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, has accused government security forces of supporting renewed attacks by Kitgwang factions on its position at Diel in Upper Nile.

Forces belonging to General Johnson Olony Thabo on Thursday evening launched an attack on a military base belonging to the main armed opposition SPLA-IO in Upper Nile state resulting in the displacement of an unknown number of civilians.

In a statement on Thursday night, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, the spokesman of the main armed opposition SPLA-IO, claimed that the Kitgwang elements were facilitated and given departure orders by IG security organs top go an attack their forces at Diel.

“The SPLA-IO is aware that the Kitgwang elements were facilitated and given departure orders by IG security organs to move from Magenis to Malakal,” Gabriel said in a statement seen by Sudans Post on Thursday.

Gabriel claimed that the forces loyal to Kitgwang were escorted by 2 speed boats of IG forces from Malakal to Atar where they launched an attack on the SPLA-IO position.

“There is also a plan from the same negative force to attack the SPLA-IO position of Phom in the morning hours of Friday 19/08/2022,” Gabriel said.

He said the attack on its positions will jeopardize the current spirit of the implementation of the recent roadmap.

“Much as the SPLA-IO respects the defection Agreement between the SPLM IG and the Kitgwang faction, facilitating them to attack the SPLA-IO positions is not only a violation of R-ARCSS but also intent to jeopardize the current spirit of the Implementation gained through the signed Road Map.”

He called upon the CTSAMVM and the JDB to investigate what he called “intentional violation” and bring those responsible to book.

“The SPLA-IO remains committed to the Implementation of the Transitional Security Arrangement but reserves the right to self-defense.”

In August 2021, the SPLM- IO Kitgwang announced to have ousted Dr. Riek Machar – claiming he no longer represented the group’s interests.

Gen. Simon Gatwech declared himself the party’s Chairman deputized by Gen. Johnson Olony.

The group later splinted into two, one headed by General Simon Gatwech Dual, the Former SPLA-IO Chief of General Staff together, and General Johnson Olony of the Agwelek forces.