JUBA – Tensions are reportedly high among forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) in South Sudan’s Unity State as senior opposition commanders switch allegiance from the group to the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) there.
This comes a few days after a senior SPLA-IO Commander, Gen. Tito Biel Wich, accused Machar of disrespecting members of the main armed opposition group, and announcing a SPLM-IO Kitgwang-like opposition faction in Unity state to fight for the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.
Speaking to Sudans Post this morning, an opposition source in Unity state said tensions are high in several opposition barracks in the oil-rich state following the defection of General Tit Biel as some of the senior opposition commanders are planning a mass migration to the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces.
“The situation is very tense here in Unity state, Dingding where our forces are being cantoned is good, but our areas in the western parts of the state have tensions because some of our senior colleagues are deciding to side with General Biel and are planning to leave,” the official said.
The senior opposition officer said First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny has ordered the SPLA-IO forces not to fight anyone wishing to join South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, and this, the official said, is to avoid return to conflict or death of civilians in the state.
“We have received orders from His Excellency the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar who is also the chairman and commander in chief of the SPLM-IO that no one should be held against his will including those wishing to join the enemy in Juba,” the officer said.
“This is because we don’t want civilians to be killed again in Unity state, because if we fight, there would be a lot of suffering of our civil population which is still suffering from floods and displacement and the government of President Salva and [Governor] Nguen Manytuil is watching idly,” the officer added.
Again, Dr. Riek Machar Teny need to give up on Army and be more focused on his political platform as a academic figure. The massive defections will continues and even the process for unified forces is not going to works anymore.
I know Dr. Riek Machar cannot listening to anyone unless his thoughts but I think the appointment of his relatives has affected him badly. He has to come up addressing Publicly specific on how we move on as a nation. Let us have dialogue for all Armies so that, we would find solutions. The process of unified forces has stuck because the President Salva Kiir Mayardit has demanded 60% of Commanding while, Dr. Riek Machar Teny is still insisting that, the President should take 50% and all others oppositions forces will takes 50%. Dr. Riek Machar need to understand that 60% of his own movement SPLA I0 forces have returned back to government and 35% of his SPLA I0 forces are with him and 5% of his Fighters are preparing to leave as we hear today and the next day we heard different story. He has to give up on Army and focusing on his political platform. If he want this young nation to go forward otherwise, it will be difficult for him to pushed deadlock to nowhere and the people are not happy about appointment of his relatives.
I thanks President Salva Kiir Mayardit for his involvement to bring back Kitgwang faction. The road will not be smooth between Pro Dr. Riek Machar Teny and those Breaks away from him and the only way to stopped it is to have a dialogue for Army. Let us bring all different SPLA I0 and SSPDF and more others fighters to say enough is enough and we must reorganize ourselves and our country. If Dr. Riek Machar is not giving up for the Army then, violence will emerge again because the breakers are not happy with Dr. Riek Machar for many reasons and one of it is nepotism and other one is using people to fight for your political bitterness and later neglect them for positions. Although Dr. Riek Machar has turned his interest to Dinka communities still they are not happy too for the appointment of relatives.