Machar appoints top rebel command, state governors
January 1, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudanese leader of the rebel SPLM-In-Opposition, Riek Machar, has appointed top military generals to reorganize, command and control their fighters against president Salva Kiir’s government.
“Pursuant to December 6-12, 2014 Pagak conference resolutions, I, Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, Chairman and Commander-in-Chief, SPLM/SPLA, hereby appoint Major General Simon Gatwech Dual as Chief of General Staff,” reads the 21 December 2014 order seen by Sudan Tribune.
General Gatwech who attended Juba University previously served as deputy director in charge of production department at the army headquarters of Bilpam in the capital, Juba. He later on fell out with president Kiir in 2012, and was arrested and detained for a year. He was released in 2013 without charges.
Before his new assignment he was the opposition’s military governor for Jonglei state, in which his forces control much of the South Sudan’s largest state.
Other top commanders appointed include Major General Peter Gatdet Yaka as deputy chief of general staff for military operations, Major General Gathoth Gatkuoth Hothnyang, deputy chief of general staff for logistics and Major General Gabriel Gatwech Chan, (aka Gabriel Tanginye), as Inspector-General for SPLA.
Also some more commanders are yet to be appointed as deputies to take charge for administration, training and moral and orientation.
APPOINTED GOVERNORS
The rebel leader also appointed governors for some of the 21 newly created federal states for South Sudan.
These include Major General Chayuot Manyang Wuor, governor of Adar (North East Upper Nile) state, Major General Duop Lam, governer of Phou state, Major General Mabor Marier Makol, governor of Rumbek state, Brig General Ruai Kuol Jal, governor of Lich state, Duer Chuol Kur for Sobat state, Tingo Peter Rogbigo Limgbo, governor of Wau state and Marko Lokidor Lochipio, governor of Kapoeta state.
NEW COUNTIES
Machar restructured the newly created Sobat state, re-establishing its 8 counties to include Nasir, Kewer, Thorow, Wanding, Malou, Ulang, Baliet and Akoka.
He appointed Colonel Kang Guoch Deng, as commissioner of the newly created Malou county, Luke Mok Kueth for Nasir county, Colonel Nhial Puoch Jak for Kewer county, John Wiyual Kuach Bithou as commissioner of Thorow county and Isaac Tor for Wanding county.
Machar’s spokesperson, James Gatdet Dak, told Sudan Tribune that consultations were ongoing for appointments of the other “14 governors and creation of additional counties in the other 20 states as necessary as well as appointment of more commissioners.”
He defended the creation of 21 federal states and more counties, saying it was in line of the principle of taking towns closer to the people for better delivery of services and collective decision-making.
Dak further added that the newly appointed officials will organise and establish their respective administrations in the liberated areas, saying their appointments was an important step.
“The appointments of state governors and commissioners is an important step in order to mobilise the people in support of our cause even in government-controlled areas and provide security for the populations in areas under our control,” he said.
“They will also effectively coordinate humanitarian interventions in alleviating the suffering of the affected populations in the country,” stressed the rebel spokesperson.
Observers say the recent political and military measures taken by the two warring factions of the SPLM, show that with the stalemate of the IGAD brokered peace talks the both sides are preparing for a long war ahead.
(ST)
Related article
S. Sudanese rebels establish military command, create 21 states