SPLM-IO officials ordered to leave hotels by tomorrow

JUBA – South Sudan’s First Vice President and main armed opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny has ordered members of the SPLM-IO living in several hotels in the country’s capital Juba to leave after President Kiir’s security advisor and chairperson of National Transitional Committee Tutkew Gatluak wrote to Machar notifying him of the decision to evict them.

On Friday last week, Gatluak wrote to Machar saying SPLM-IO officials who are not part of the security mechanisms will no longer be accommodated at the expense of the National Transitional Committee owing to lack of funds.

“As part of confidence building, NPTC/NTC accommodated people who are members of SPLM/A-IO who came to Juba, through peace implementation, but had no place to stay and are not members of any security mechanisms,” Gatluak wrote in a letter addressed to Machar and seen by Sudans Post.

“In light of that, I am therefore; informing Your Excellency, that NTC will no longer continue accommodating non-security mechanisms. Cognizant that NTC, has no funds to pay for accommodation, currently hotels need lots of money from NTC,” he continued.

Gatluak further said “states and local governments are now formed, we feel that these people should be responsible for themselves or party of affiliation handle the issue of their accommodation. The only people NTC will continue to accommodate are only the members of Security Mechanisms.”

Machar responded with notification that accommodation for SPLM-IO officials who are not members of the peace security mechanisms will end by March 12, 2021.

“Reference to the letter dated March 05, 2021 addressed to the First Vice President by Hon. Tut Gatluak, Presidential Security Advisor terminating accommodation for all non – security mechanism, this letter serves to inform you that, accommodation for all SPLM/SPLA (IO) cadres who are not members of the Security Mechanisms ends Friday March 12, 2021,” Machar’s executive director General Martin Gama Abucha wrote in a letter to SPLM-IO members.

“Your kindly advised to checkout promptly and find yourself alternative accommodation,” he added.