SPLM-IO accuses unnamed campaigners of inciting, fueling tensions between Machar, Gatwech

JUBA – South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny has accused unnamed anti-peace campaigners of inciting and fueling the unfolding tensions between Machar and his chief of staff General Simon Gatwech Dual saying the group’s leaders are not in Juba for luxury.

Throughout this week, social media users and specially the membership of the SPLM-IO have been involved in controversy over decision by Machar to dismiss General Simon Gatwech Dual after his appointment by President Salva Kiir Mayardit as a presidential peace advisor.

General Gatwech has refused to take up the position and has accused Dr. Riek Machar of surrendering to the regime in Juba. He said he won’t return to Juba before the completion of the revitalized peace agreement.

In a statement to Sudans Post this afternoon, senior SPLM-IO official, close ally of Dr. Riek Machar and member of the SPLM-IO National Liberation Council (NLC) Dut Majokdit said the main armed opposition group is for peace saying some are inciting the unfolding situating within the group.

“The SPLM-IO is for peace not war. I want to say this to those who are in campaigns to fuel the whole thing for Gen. Gatwech to continue to hesitate to take up the advisory role in the peace presidency,” he said.

“It is time to build peace and we have been in Juba for the last 16 months to push for peace from inside the country so that the country does not return to the devastating civil war which has killed a lot of people. So, we are not in Juba for salary as being said,” he added.

The senior opposition official urged the SPLA-IO chief of staff to accept his new presidential advisor role and move to Juba, saying the issue of the completion of the security arrangements is a responsibility of the higher leaderships of both sides to the agreement.

“I wish Gen. Dual to accept the position of advisor in the R-TGONU to engage President Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar for peace to be implemented in spirit and the letter. We have to end the suffering of the people by building trust and confidence, while working together as the partners to achieved full implementation of the agreement on time,” he said.

“The issue of the security to graduate the unified forces is the responsibility of the leadership. Dr. Riek has been on talks with the president to make sure that, our gallant (SPLA-IO) forces are graduated together with (SSOA) and (SSPDF) to form the unified national army as stipulated in the peace agreement!” he stressed, before adding: “We will continue to push for peace implementation to achieved fundamentals change in our country.”