Tut Gatluak denies assassination plot against Buay

JUBA – South Sudan’s presidential affairs security advisor, Tut Gatluak Manimeh, has denied claims by opposition leader General Stephen Buay Rolnyang that he is attempting to assassinate him in Nairobi, Kenya.

In a statement on Monday morning, Buay, the leader of the opposition South Sudan People’s Movement/Army (SSPLM/SSPA) attending peace talks facilitated by Kenyan authorities, alleged that security agents paid by Gatluak are plotting to harm him.

In a statement seen by Sudans Post, Gatluak dismissed the alleged plot as an attempt by Buay to tarnish his image, describing the accusation as “baseless” and condemning it.

“Rebel leader Stephen Buay said that I sent a team of security agents to Nairobi with the mission to hunt him down and assassinate him in Nairobi. Why would I do that?” Gatluak said in a statement signed by an aide.

“I condemn this statement in the strongest terms possible. These accusations are baseless; he only wants to tarnish my reputation. Buay said I sent John Nyerew, a person with whom we have never had conversations in one place. All he said is not true,” he added.

Gatluak stressed that Gen. Buay should not accuse him of planning his assassination if he is unwilling to take part in the Nairobi peace negotiations.

“If Stephen Buay is unwilling to participate in the peace process to bring lasting peace for all South Sudanese, let him not do it in the name of Security Advisor. Hon. Tut Gatluak has no intention to target Stephen Buay and it was not the mission for the Government to send a delegation to Nairobi; the government is interested in bringing permanent peace,” he stated.

Both men hail from Mayom County of Unity State. The disagreement between them arose following Buay’s dismissal from active military service in 2020 after being detained for two years on claims that he intended to rebel against the government.

Buay fled the country in 2020 and formed a new rebel group. His forces launched an assault on Mayom town, the capital of Mayom County, killing the commissioner, Chuol Gatluak Manimeh, Tut Gatluak’s brother. Since then, Buay has been cautious over claims that Gatluak was hunting for him.