SSDF chief distances himself from Ojullu’s release

September 10, 2007 — On Sept. 6, 2007, the Sudan Tribune’s Website published a press releasewritten by Dr. Ojulu Ochalla of South Sudan United Democratic Alliance (SSUDA)/SSDF who resides in United States. My name appeared in the press release as if it was approved by me.

I am hereby informing the Sudanese people in general and South Sudanese in
particular, that Dr. Ojullu’s release was not approved by me, let alone the
fact that I was not consulted by Ojullu himself. As the Commander in Chief
of South Sudan Defense Force (SSDF), I have no legal right to dismiss the
Secretary General of SSUDA due to separation of politics from military
affairs as clearly stipulated in the Interim Constitution of Sudan.

I should also make it abundantly clear to anybody that SSDF under my
leadership was not responsible for the nomination of SSUDA’s chairman, nor
am I responsible to appoint any SSUDA’s chairman. Any leadership differences
that might have arisen within SSUDA are internal problems of the party that
any attempt to involve SSDF’s military leadership may be regarded as illegal
and unconstitutional. Dr. Ojullu Ochalla should take note that I am not
responsible for his nomination as SSUDA’s chairman.

I would also like to inform the public that the allegations mentioned in Dr.
Ojullu’s release in regard to Maj. Gen. Gabriel Tang Ginya are absolutely
baseless and unfounded. Gabriel Tang has been my officer for more than
thirty years. Nobody can remove him from his current position let alone the
fact SSDF is a united force that cannot be divided by anybody. For all the
years he served under me, Gabriel Tang proved to be a competent military
leader whose skills are unsurpassed. He is still in his position that was
accorded to him because of his indisputable talent.

Furthermore, I am hereby warning Dr. Ojullo Ochalla not to attempt to
politicize SSDF military. The political differences between him and other
members of SSUDA should not be imported into SSDF, which doesn’t know
division. The allegations of nepotism and corruption he raised against Mr.
Peter Chuol Gatluak are unfounded, baseless and have nothing to do with Maj.
Gen. Gabriel Tang. The whole SSDF’s leadership is profoundly disturbed by
those allegations.

I would like to inform the Sudanese people that brotherly relationship which existed between me and Gabriel Tang for more than three decades cannot be severed by anybody with ulterior motives. The SSDF’s military leadership is united and all its members are treated equal before God irrespective of tribe, race, clan, section, gender, etc…

Signed,
Maj. Gen. Gordon Koang,
C-in-C of SSDF
Khartoum, Sudan
Tel. 0-915366730