Highlights
- Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual is relieved
- Machar wants Nuer to fight, Simon Gatwech Dual alleged
- Simon Gatwech may declare himself SPLM/A-IO Chairman and Commander-in-Chief
Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual is relieved
The relief of Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual from the Chief of Staff position will most likely create an unlikely scenario that may draw the young nation to a renewed violent civil war. This time, according to experts, maybe deadly than the existing one.
The camp could be divide into critical lines that no amount of political wills or negotiations may diffuse, sources familiar with the existing political situation in South Sudan explained.
A recent interview by Radio Tamazuji with the former SPLA-IO Chief of Staff, 1st Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual confirmed otherwise. SPLM/A-IO is fragmented.
The branch that is holding together SPLM/A-IO is together with Simon Gatwech stated a source familiar with the armed opposition politics.
The Chief is relieved, press secretary in the office of the FVP had confirmed last week. Simon is left with no choice but to declares himself the chairman and commander in chief of the rebel movement. Then, Machar has fallen.
He turned down the appointment as senior peace advisory in the office of the President of the republic.
“First of all, this post as peace advisor is not mentioned in the revitalized peace agreement. Secondly, I am still in the bush and I am not a government member. It is Doctor Riek Machar who went to Juba and took the oath of office and he began to drink the water of the country. Thirdly, our forces that have been taken to the training centers since 2019 up to now have not graduated. This is a delay tactic by the government in Juba,” Gatwech said. “They have given me such a big post but this is a delay tactic. If all my forces are graduated, police, prison service, and wildlife following the peace agreement, I will go to Juba. But if forces are not graduated, why should I go to Juba?”
Machar wants Nuer to fight, Simon Gatwech Dual alleged
The personal opinion of Simon published by Radio Tamazuji and amplified by SBS Dinka Radio based in Australia publicly acknowledged that Machar is interested in seeing Nuer fight each other. The General has discovered it and refused.
“There is nothing in the peace agreement that says or recommends creating the position of Presidential advisor on peace. These are delaying tactics…. Dr. Riek Machar went to Juba to receive salaries, but my soldiers and I are still here in the bush, and we received nothing…. Riek is now working with Salva Kiir, and he is trying to undermine what I’m doing or trying to let Nuer fight each other again, but I wouldn’t allow that.
Simon alleged confiscated weapons toyed to harm him. However, he acted responsibly and don’t want to leave his soldiers behind in the bush.
“On the 05/06/2021, Riek Machar sends guns and uniforms because they need to catch me or make people of Nuer fight each other again, but I was able to confiscate them…. I’m not going to Juba because I don’t want to leave my soldiers here in these sufferings.”
Simon Gatwech may declare himself SPLM/A-IO Chairman and Commander-in-Chief
Speaking to an inner circle within the former IO Chief’s camp, definitely Simon will be declared as the new leader of the rebel movement. He further refused to disclosed when is this action to be implemented.
“The General is a powerful man. Ninety percent of the opposition soldiers are loyal to him. His unity with Lt. Gen. Olony will create a new paradigm.
It will be game-changing for the people of South Sudan. New players to the political arena in the young nation will join, and the long process of rebuilding South Sudan begins.