SPLM-IO faction alleges Oyet allies plan to join RSF in Sudan

JUBA — A faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) led the suspended first vice president, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, accused forces allied with suspended Deputy Chairman Nathaniel Oyet of planning to join paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in the ongoing conflict against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

A statement issued on Wednesday by Pal Mai Deng, SPLM-IO spokesperson and chairperson of the National Committee for Information and Communication, alleged that Oyet had ordered a small number of fighters in Fangak to move northwards toward Sudan to join the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

“The suspended SPLM-IO Deputy Chairman has ordered a small number of soldiers allied with him in Fangak to move northward, where they will join Rapid Support Forces in their fight against the Sudanese Armed Forces,” Deng said.

He also claimed that General Peter Wal Chuol, a former SPLA-IO commander in Nasir, and a small group of fighters had been ordered to move northwards to join the RSF in northern Upper Nile, but that SPLA-IO forces had blocked their route.

“Dealing with the Rapid Support Force, supported by the regime, is one of the sure evidences that Rt. Hon. Nathaniel Oyet and his small faction have relations with the regime in Juba.”

Deng said the accused faction led by suspended Deputy Chairman Nathaniel Oyet was secretly negotiating a deal with officials in Juba.

He claimed that Oyet’s faction received covert support from National Security Service officials, including Presidential Security Adviser Tut Kew and other senior security officials, and was planning attacks against SPLA-IO forces.

“The suspended SPLM/A IO Deputy Chairman’s faction, secretly supported by the Juba regime’s National Security Services, is planning to attack all SPLA forces wherever they are,” Deng said.

“We have learned the suspended Deputy Chairman has ordered forces allied with him to attack our own forces, the SPLA IO forces. The SPLA IO forces remain alert and ready for any offensive attacks by the apostate’s insurgent faction.”

He also alleged that former SPLM-IO National Legislative Assembly, Kuong Dak, and security officials travelled to Burundi to meet former SPLA-IO intelligence chief General Yiey Dak as part of what he described as a months-long arrangement.

He further claimed that former SPLM-IO Terekeka County Commissioner George Wani Elia, who he said resigned from the movement on September 15, was expected to travel to Juba for discussions with Kuong Dak.

Deng also cited Oyet’s alleged appointment of Amilio Fada Alexander as governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal State as another indication of what he described as covert cooperation with the government.