South Sudan army denies defection of Gen. Paulino Matip

December 9, 2007 (JUBA) — The Sudan People’s Liberation Army denounced allegations made by David de Chand in a pro-Khartoum ruling party newspaper saying that General Paulino Matip had defected from the southern Sudan army.

David De-Chand, who is a leading member in the South Sudan Democratic Front and former member of the SSUDA, told the pro National Congress Party daily, al-Intibaha last week that the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the SPLA had defected from the southern Sudan army.

“Despite incredibility of the sources […] we are hereby obliged to unleash our constrain strategy, to clear doubts.”.Said statement issued by the office of Deputy Commander in Chief of the SPLA. The statement added “It is a senseless claim, that have no place in this united south.”

The office Deputy C-in-C reassured “All Southern that these baseless allegations are nothing, given the fact that they were meant to confuse, and to drag back our people, to re-visit their bitter needless past.”

Paulino Matip warned David de Chand “Not to continue running around with such fallacious statements, that would achieve nothing rather than time’s waste, when there is no much time left, to be wasted.” The statement reported.

The statement hailed the strong relations between the Sudan’s First Vice President and SPLA Commander in Chief and the SPLA Deputy Commander in Chief.

It also reaffirmed that all the forces of the Southern Sudan Defence Forces of Lt Gen. Paulino Matip are now fully integrated in the SPLA.

The influential Nuer leader, Paulino Matip, during May 2007had to pass on a radio message from his residence in Nairobi to deny rumours about his death. He said reports about his death in a hospital in South Africa or in a plane crash were baseless and merely rumours aimed at creating confusion and to destabilize the country.

In January 2006, Matip disbanded his SSDF and integrated the SPLA following the signature of Juba Declaration with the southern Sudan leader, Salva Kiir Mayadrit.

(ST)

The following is the text of the press release

SPLA Affairs Ministry

Juba, South Sudan

Sunday, December. 09, 2007

SPLA Deputy C-in-C‘s Office denounces David De-Chand and El-intibaha News Letter’s allegations

This unrestraint became inevitable discharge that would denounce allegations, made by Mr. David De-Chand and El-Intibaha, an Arabic news letter based in Khartoum, which, said the SPLA D/C-in-C Lt General Paulino Matip, has defected from the SPLA/M. However, despite incredibility of the sources, as most of you may know; we are hereby obliged to unleash our constrain strategy, to clear doubts, then we are more than confident that this release, will be too painful to the source because it will add up salt into injury, by re-emphasizing over that source’s incredibility that would re-affirm its disposition.

Truthfully, there was nothing apart from a wild dream, and wishful thinking from David De-Chand whose words usually, flow like an erosion of sand and toxic gases. Consequently, the deputy C-in-C’s office is hereby informing all that it is a senseless claim, that have no place in this united south. In any case, the South will prevail no matter what that ailing substantiations driven by egoism may wish.

Through satellite phone contact with Deputy C-in-C Lt Gen. Paulino Matip Nhial who is dealing with his social issues and family matters, where he said that GOSS as institution had no exclusiveness policy, unless some individuals, here and there, acting on their own, and at their own risk, as some ended up facing consequences of their attitudes.

Therefore; he advised these who acted immaturely and elements of Khartoum e.g. Mr. David De-Chand not to continue running around with such fallacious statements, that would achieve nothing rather than time’s waste, when there is no much time left, to be wasted.

We are here very much confident and would re-assure all Southern that these baseless allegations are nothing, given the fact that they were meant to confuse, and to drag back our people, to re-visit their bitter needless past. Question, why should disunity could be the only opposition agenda? And then why not unity;

Hence, no single problem when all the former SSDF forces have been fully integrated into SPLA and other security forces’ ranks and files; In addition, all newly integrated SPLA forces have been deployed, and have received or some are receiving their benefits; as well as, if there were some who didn’t satisfy, it shouldn’t be anything else rather than formalities and procedures. Thus there is no point for speculation from Mr. De-Chand and his likes, he went on to say, our unity known as Juba declaration of 2006, is the power base, and the most strongest weapon that we have ever received. As a result, the common sense tells us we would not just temper with it without any good reason because it was a long awaited and expensive unity.

Moreover, the two comrades the D/C-in-C, and H. E Lt. Gen Salva Kiir Mayardit, the Sudan first vice president & president of GOSS, Chairman of SPLM, and the C-in-C of the SPLA, that mean men have sacrificed and risked everything to grantee this unity, as the only determine factor to liberty of the Sudanese people at large, and marginalized areas in particular.

To be candid, there is nothing greater than this unity, among brothers and sisters, subsequently, for few who fell behind to understand it, would be better for them not attempt with the will of the people because they will fail.

Likewise, deputy C-in-C Lt General Paulino Matip; is here and strongly re-affirm his commitment to Southern cause. Hence, through this message he reminded all Sudanese people that he is a man of word. Certainly, he could speak his mind any where he goes if the need be; we could speak more than this, but because these are well known irresponsible elements, we would cease our statement.

Consequently, we are hereby advising Mr. David De-Chand not to play, rather to do things that maybe better for him and not to waste time politicizing senseless ideas.

Signed

Office Deputy C-in-C

Juba, South Sudan