SPLM-IO diplomat who resigned in September joins Kiir, reiterates unfounded claims against Machar

JUBA – Former SPLM-IO country representative to Tanzania, Wesley Bokati Natana, who resigned in September has today joined the ruling SPLM faction led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, reiterating unfounded initial claims that Machar had nominated Puot Kang, as Petroleum minister, because he is his son in law.

Natana said in a statement extended to Sudans Post on Tuesday that he has joined the SPLM faction led by President Kiir, saying Machar has continued his actions that he said are turning the main armed opposition group into a family enterprise also citing the appointment of his wife as defense minister.

“You have turned SPLM/A-IO as a family organization by appointing your wife as minister of defense, your mother-in-law as minister of health, your son-in-law as minister of Petroleum and your relatives in charge of finance in your office,” Dr. Wesley claimed.

Wesley who was appointed by Machar in 2017 as the group’s top diplomat in Tanzania further accused the SPLM-IO leader of failure to control forces because he could not cater for basic needs of the forces across the country.

“This is why some of them are still violating the revitalized pace agreement by attacking the government forces and others have died due to lack of food and medicine. Others have deserted the cantonment and training centers,” he said.

Bokati further claimed that SPLM/A-IO forces are still at the hands of Machar’s family members and close relatives leaving out the other sixty three tribes that have joined his movement.

“Your leadership ignores the experienced and educated members of the party and forces on the illiterate ones who cannot deliver effective services to the people of South Sudan,” he said.