![South Sudan's then newly removed FVP Dr. Riek Machar Teny speaks during a meeting of the SPLM-IO political bureau in Khartoum, Sudan. [Photo by SUNA]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Riek_Machar.jpg?ssl=1)
The Kitgwang declaration saw former chief of staff of the SPLA-IO General Simon Gatwech Dual to replace Machar in what has been described by Machar’s allies in Juba as a coup plotted by ‘peace spoilers’ to divide the powerful opposition group.
Early on Wednesday, Odwar resigned as South Sudan’s minister of mining from the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGONU) without elaborating reasons behind his decision.
He was nominated on the ticket of the SPLM-IO to the unity government.
Those who defected with him include Goi Jooyul Yol, a member of the SPLM-IO Political Bureau and head of the group’s national committee for education, Augustino Laku, a member of the national liberation council and Tut Puok Nyang who is also a member of the NLC.
In their statement, the group said they are “troubled and disturbed by Dr. Riek Machar’s weak and compromised leadership quality that failed former Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army – Nasir Faction, South Sudan Independent Movement (SSIM), and now threatening the SPLM/A – (IO).”
They further said that they are “alarmed and dismayed by the silence exhibited by Dr. Machar during the indefinite detention and Restriction of Movement by the IGAD Heads of State which is construed as a weakness of SPLM/A – (IO), and interpreted as a surrender.”
I think this is too much for Dr. Riek Machar to ignore his Removal from the SPLM I0 Chairmanship. I would step down if I was Dr. Riek Machar Teny because it is very hard to solve when your powerful generals are denouncing you and you still claim to lead .
I don’t think the President will do anything if this defections continues likewise, general Henry Dilah Odwar has resigned and joined Kitgwang faction led by Chief of staff general Simon Gatwech Dual and two others generals. President Kiir Mayardit has no authority to block the members of the SPLM I0 if they don’t want him any more. It is very cheap to say whatever come to your mind but the leadership is about good character, honesty, personality, sincerity and you name it.
I knew that this peace agreement would not succeed especially after the appointment of the cabinet of the revitalized transitional government of National Unity (R-TCONU). Dr. Machar appointed his wife Angelina Teny as the Defense Minister, his son in Law as Petroleum Minister, Mother in Law as Health Minister. I knew then that the other Generals who fought the war will rebel. He has also forgotten the fate of his soldiers who are stranded in the training camps for over three years without necessities while he is enjoying with his family.