SSAF/SSFDP denies relationship with Changson or Gatdet group
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
January 6, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – The South Sudan Armed Forces/ South Sudan Federal Democratic Party (SSAF/SSFDP) on Wednesday dismissed allegations that the opposition faction is connected to Gabriel Changson or General Peter Gatdet Yak group.
“We want to inform our supporters and all South Sudanese that we are an independent movement formed to liberate the entire country from tribalism, and dictatorship planted by Salva Kiir government,” the group said in an email it sent to Sudan Tribune.
Colonel Oliwa Mario Bertino, spokesperson of SSAF/SSFDP stressed that the South Sudan Armed Forces/ South Sudan Federal democratic Party under the chairmanship of Major General Anthony Ongwajja, chairman and commander in chief of the group is “in no way” connected to any group in South Sudan.
The group’s name, which shares military wing’s name of Changson’s group, but added South Sudan to its political wing’s name, said they operate in Eastern Equatoria and have no any connection with the other group which split from SPLM-IO in August 2015.
Bertino however told Sudan Tribune that the leadership of SSAF/SSFDP has been in contact with SPLM/A-IO mission in the United Republic of Tanzania, to share information on the programmes of the two movements.
“As such we are declaring our total allegiance to SPLM/A under the leadership of Riek Machar Teny” he said.
The opposition official commended representatives of the SPLM/A-IO mission in Tanzania for tirelessly working with the leadership of South Sudan Armed Forces/ South Sudan Democratic Party for the latter to reach on this decision.
The group said it has given its list of demands to Ambassador Peter Oyoyo Kleto, SPLM/A-IO deputy representative to Tanzania for the opposition diplomat to present the demands to the chairman and commander in chief of SPLM/A-IO, Riek Machar.
“Our movement supports the peace agreement to end the suffering of our people and we call for all citizens and warring parties to implement this agreement in full so that South Sudan may have peace, stability and prosperity,” said Bertino
The armed opposition group alleged that it has ordered all their forces to remain in their barracks in honour of the peace agreement and to only act in self-defence.
Meanwhile, chapter office of the SPLM-IO welcomed the promotions of over 400 senior military officers by the leadership.
Chairman of the newly established opposition chapter in Addis Ababa, Koat Gatkuoth Thoat, applauded the promotions of military generals saying the move is part of the movement’s efforts towards advancement of unity, equality and good governance in conflict ravaged South Sudan.
“The promotions of these Generals is a paramount beginning in our military endeavour to face the challenges in the country, foster unity and [reverse] the lost military direction to our people of South Sudan,” Diew told Sudan Tribune.
The charter condemned the amendment of the constitution, the presidential decree on the creation of the 28 states as well as appointment of governors to the newly created states.
He said the creation of 28 tribal colonies (states) is against the political will of the people of South Sudan and called on president Salva Kiir to revoke it.
“These states are not meant for the development of our nation, but they were created in fulfilment of political ambitions that had long lost its map in direction finding with visionless and corrupt leadership.”
The chapter office urged all South Sudanese to step up advocating peace to sustain the peace deal and implementation of the peace matrix.
(ST)