![Former SPLM-IO governor of Sobat state and member of the group's National Liberation Council Duer Tut Duer [Photo by Sudans Post]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Untitled-design-2.png?ssl=1)
JUBA – Senior member of South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, Duer Tut Duer, who is leading a “reformist” group within the SPLM-IO has said that SPLM-IO leader and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny can be forgiven under only one condition.
Duer has been critical of Machar’s policies starting with the later’s return to Juba in February 2020 which has been widely criticized by senior SPLM-IO members and the mass within the main armed opposition group as lacking basis.
Speaking to Sudans Post in an exclusive interview on Saturday, Duer said from the Sudanese capital Khartoum that reconciliation within the main armed opposition group was crucial saying he and others can forgive Machar but expressed reservations saying none of the SPLM-IO members can trust him.
“I can forgive Riek Machar if he acknowledges his mistakes,” Duer said. “but because I know Riek is not sincere, he can deceive people and ask for forgiveness, once forgiven, he will start doing mistakes again. All these mean, I will not allow myself to be fooled by Riek Machar.”
The SPLM-IO has in recent years seen disintegration as senior military commanders and politicians deferred with Machar accusing him of working single-handled to run the movement without other stakeholders within the movement.
Let’s give peace to change yes if there is mistake within the SPLM -IO, we could address them as one party.