Nuer Council of Elders refute claims of split in Machar’s rebel group
August 14, 2015 (KAMPALA) – South Sudan Nuer Council of Elders (NCE) has dismissed and condemned media propaganda claiming splits in the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), led by former vice president, Riek Machar, denouncing allegations as lies manufactured by agents of Juba regime under president Salva Kiir.
Gabriel Yoal Dok, former member of national parliament and chairman of the Nuer Council of Elders worldwide, said the whole movement was still behind the leadership of Machar, hinting that even the alleged defected generals were still part and parcel of the movement under the former vice president.
Dok, who was also alleged to have signed a letter denouncing Machar’s leadership, said such allegations were fabricated by the enemies of peace from president Kiir’s government, adding that he and his elders were still paying allegiance to Machar.
“In light of this unfortunate lie, the Nuer Council of Elders want to make it clear to the entire Nuer Community worldwide, regional and international bodies and; to the entire south Sudanese diversity that such allegations circulated in different media outlets portraying splits within the movement of the people are just mere propaganda orchestrated by enemy of peace,” Dok said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Friday.
He said some groups of people were working for downfall of the ongoing peace mechanism to divert efforts by IGAD to reach for a meaningful approach that can end the twenty-month long conflict.
Dok explained that the NCE believed that the recent changes within SPLM/A IO ranks and file were normal in any organization, and should not be used by political “grenades” against the movement.
“We want to apprise the general public that the populaces of Nuer community are staunch supporters and shall continue to commit their unwavering allegiance to the leadership of SPLM/A IO under Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon,” the statement added.
He urged the South Sudanese 64 tribes to rise up for unity, to work collectively on reaching the level of democracy that the country would deserve.
“The Nuer Council of Elders would want to remind everyone that we cannot afford to act contrary to the cause of the struggle against the dictatorial, genocidal, corrupt, inept tribal leadership of Salva Kiir Mayardit,” Dok said.
The group of elders also have been accusing president Kiir’s government of violating the country’s article 11, of South Sudan transitional constitution.
“Everyone has the inherent right to life, dignity and the integrity which shall be protected by the law and no one shall arbitrarily be deprived of his or her life. Therefore, the massacre of thousands of innocent souls in cold blood on 15th December 2013 shall not be in vain just for the sake of individuals who wanted to utilize Juba Regime’s strategy of divide and surrender within SPLM/A IO,” the statement further reads.
However, the Nuer Council of Elders on their behalf and entire Nuer community warned that they shall not entertain those wanting to embrace the regime’s divide and rule tactics or any group with ill-interest to work parallel apart from the main freedom fighters or SPLM/A IO.
The statement was the first voice from the Nuer Council of Elders after two generals, Peter Gatdet Yaka and Gathoth Gatkuoth were allegedly planning to defect from the rebels’ movement and declared their intention last week from the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.
Close sources from the rebels’ movement have told Sudan Tribune that there were signs the two generals would reconcile with Machar and return to the movement soon.
(ST)