South Sudan rebels dismiss claims of division in leadership

March 9, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – The chairperson of the information and public relations committee in the rebel faction of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) has dismissed as “negative propaganda” rumours that there was division within the rank and file of the rebel group.

“The SPLM/SPLA would also like to take this opportunity to assure members that the negative propaganda emanating from Kampala, alleging that the leadership of the SPLM/SPLA is divided are baseless and wishful thinking of Juba and Kampala,” partly reads the statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

Mabior, son of late South Sudanese leader, John Garang, however acknowledged that individuals recently left the movement and re-joined the government.

“The leadership of the SPLM/SPLA has never been more united, the desertion of individuals can only crystallize and strengthen the movement and should not be a cause for alarm. The movement urges members to remain vigilant and not be dissuaded by individuals with vested interests,” he added, without mentioning names.

A group of eight, mainly junior officials in the rebel camp, including George Amum, brother of former SPLM secretary general, Pagan Amum, last week declared their defection from the SPLM-IO and flew back to Juba.

This also came two weeks after the former rebel military spokesman, Lul Ruai Koang, deserted his assignment in the rebel movement and returned to Juba.

The rebel public relations chief also blamed the government for the collapse of the peace negotiations in Addis Ababa on 6 March.

He reiterated calls on the African Union (AU) to officially publish the leaked report on crimes committed in South Sudan for the past 14 months of the civil war.

The SPLM-IO official also called for targeted sanctions against those that obstruct peaceful resolutions to the conflict.

“The SPLM/SPLA, therefore, would like to renew our call for the publication of the AU Commission of Inquiry Report, and for targeted sanctions to be directed to those deemed as obstructing peace in South Sudan,” he said.

Mediators from the East African regional bloc of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) announced it would find other workable mechanisms so as to resume the peace talks under new approach following the breakdown of the talks between president Salva Kiir and the opposition leader Riek Machar.

(ST)