![SPLA-IO deputy spokesman Col. Lam Paul Gabriel speaks to media about the progress and challenges facing the transitional security arrangement in Juba on October 2, 2019. [Photo by Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/gettyimages-1173073967-612x612-1.jpg?ssl=1)
JUBA — South Sudan’s main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) has confirmed that it forces have fled northern Upper Nile state and moved to Sudan after clashes with rival SPLA-IO forces led by General Simon Gatwech Dual who broke away from the group in August last year.
Over the weekend, General Gatwech’s group claimed that it had overrun several military bases belonging to the SPLA-IO forces allied to First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, saying SPLA-IO sector one commanders under Gen. Yak Dayiem had surrendered their guns to the Sudanese army after they were defeated from northern Upper Nile.
In a statement on Monday afternoon, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, the spokesman of the SPLA-IO led by FVP Machar confirmed that their forces have fled to Sudan, but only to avoid further clashes, denying that their forces have surrendered to the Sudanese forces.
“After the attack of Amud on 28/12/2021, the kitgwang negative force combined with mercenaries from Nuba Mountains continued their antipeace campaign against the SPLA-IO in Amud 2 and Gabat from 29th – 31st/12/2021. This prompted the SPLA-IO Command to direct the SPLA-IO forces to move to Sudan territory to avoid further clashes,” Lam said in the statement.
“The SPLA-IO therefore, would like to clarify to it’s members, supporters and the South Sudanese citizens that its forces didn’t surrender to the SSPDF in Kuek or to SAF. They are in Sudan territory just to avoid further bloodshed and displacement to the civilians in Northern Upper Nile,” he added.
The senior SPLA-IO officer further accused Gen. Gatwech Dual’s forces of trying to attack an opposition cantonment site at Thorguang, an area in northern Upper Nile state.
“Furthermore, this morning the 03/01/2022, at about 9:00am, the negative elements of Kitgwang moved their forces towards Thorguang cantonment site which is under the command and control of the JDB to cause more lost of lives and further displacement of civilians therein,” he said.
“The SPLA-IO is therefore, informing the CTSAMVM of this planned attack in Thorguang cantonment site. The SPLA-IO is closely monitoring the activities of the Kitgwang elements much as it continues to implement the Security Arrangement.”
Even the Sudanese people have said, they have received soldiers from the SPLA I0 and they are in their barracks why Machar’s Spokesman denying it? Why they to go to Sudan and surrendered there when the SPLM I0 part of Machar are sharing government in South Sudan?
Those 7 generals SPLA I0 who surrendered to Sudanese Armed forces were told by Riek Machar Teny to do so and this is became a concern that, Dr. Riek Machar Teny is trying to return people to Sudan. The recently statement from Dr. Riek Machar Teny is suggested the South Sudan nation name should be changed to People ‘s Republic Sudan has proven beyond than doubt that, he has intention to return South Sudanese people to Sudan and I think the first vice President Riek Machar need to be investigated.
There was no need to tells 7 generals and 300 Soldiers to surrender to another country when the peace agreement was signed and he is living in Juba. There are many SPLA I0 soldiers living right now in the cities within South Sudan because they are become peace partners with the SSPDF soldiers and there is no reason for general Gabriel Duop Lam to tell 7 generals and more others soldiers to surrendering to Sudanese Armed forces at Homjalala barracks.
Also the President told Riek Machar to inform his SPLA I0 forces that, we don’t want fighting again and let us make a dialogue and this is why Tut K, Gatluak was send to Khartoum to met with breakers generals but the Sudanese problem came to block the dialogue initiative. Simon Gatwech Dual need a dialogue and not another agreement because they were part of 2018 revitalize peace agreement. Nuers intellectuals have been tried to tell Dr. Riek Machar to make dialogue with Simon Gatwech Dual and two others generals unfortunate, he ignored them and his forces continued attacking Kitgwang faction forces. I think Dr. Riek Machar Teny has no vision for leadership even he had been trying so hard to pushed himself up instead to allow others young educated from Nuer to exercise their political rights.