Gatwec seeks Khartoum’s involvement in mediation with Juba government
July 25, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – The leader of a breakaway faction of South Sudan’s armed opposition (SPLM/A-IO), Gen. Simon Gatwec Dual urged Khartoum to persuade President Salva Kiir to allow his advance team to leave Juba.
On February 1, 2022, a delegation of over 30 military officers of the SPLM/A-IO Kit-Gwang faction arrived in Juba to follow up on the implementation of the Khartoum Peace Agreement that was signed in early January 2022.
The peace agreement, between President Kiir’s group and the SPLM/A-IO Kit-Gwang faction led by Gatwech, provided for the integration of Kit-Gwang forces into the South Sudanese People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).
The deal also guarantees the implementation of the security arrangements, a permanent ceasefire, grants the Kit-Gwang faction amnesty, and reintegration of the breakaway forces into the SSPDF within three months.
Gatwec, in an exclusive interview with Sudan Tribune, called for the return of SPLM/A-IO’s team, saying the peace implementation process has stalled.
“They are not serious and our team went to Juba with the guarantee of Sudan because Sudan is the guarantor of the negotiations, but now nothing is going on. Our team members in Juba are returning and the peace which we signed is not being implemented and there is no communication. The Sudanese leaders are engaged in their own affairs and nobody is talking to those in Juba”, he explained on Monday.
The former SPLM/A-IO chief of staff claimed that Kiir was “not serious” about the peace process and urged guarantors of the Khartoum Peace Agreement to hold the Juba government accountable for their “failure to respect the terms of the agreement”.
In August 2021, Gatwech announced the ouster of the armed opposition leader, Riek Machar during an event in Magenis, northern Upper Nile State.
Machar denied the move, eventually replacing Gatwec from his position.
However, South Sudan’s presidential advisor on security affairs, Tut Gatluak Manime said President Kiir is committed to implementing the agreement.
(ST)