SPLM-IO’s Duer Tut wins rare support from Bahr el Ghazal as hundreds declare allegiance

JUBA — Hundreds of people from South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal state living in Sudan have declared their allegiance to the factional SPLM-IO leader Duer Tut Duer with others also expressing bids online to joint the controversial opposition leader.

In a statement, a group that identify itself as ‘political and military wings’ of Greater Bahr elders Ghazal that comprises hundreds of members said they are fed up with the leadership of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny and declared their allegiance to Duer Tut.

“The political and military wings of the greater Bhr el Ghazal under the chairmanship of General Makem Aguer Agorong call upon the people of greater Bhr el Ghazal; youths, elders, as well as women, and South Sudanese at large, inside and outside the country to support his excellency comrade Duer Tut Duer Makuach who has recently been nominated as the interim chairman and commander in chief of the SPLM/A-IO,” the group led General Makem Aguer Agorong said in the statement following a rally in Khartoum.

“Wherever we are under the sun, we are as divided as rolling stones under the current leadership, however, let us not loss hope, the time has come for us to bridge the chasm,” the statement added.

“Through his excellency comrade Duer Tut Duer Makuach this chasm that is mostly being activated by tribalism will be calmly excluded and the new chapter of peaceful co- existence will be opened.

“His excellency comrade Duer Tut Duer Makuach is a man of people and a man of peace, there is no- room for tribalism in his heart and if he is supported longing for will be possible.

“All of us South Sudanese, then the peace we have been Dear people of greater Bhr el Ghazal, let us come together to support him at this time of his interim period as the chairman and commander in chief of SPLM/A-IO and we will witness the change we have been yawning for all this decade.”