SPLM-IO official downplays alleged split in rebel group
August 8, 2015 (KAMPALA) – A senior official in South Sudan’s rebel has described as “unfounded” allegations of a split in the armed opposition group led by ex-vice president Riek Machar.
“We have not split; we are still united under the leadership of Riek Machar. Let me assure [you] that those who claimed we have defected are lie tellers. If we are defected, why it is that someone from Juba is the telling [about] our defection?” asked Tanginye.
He added, “Those who claimed we had internal split are not realistic and they should not continue confusing the public on our behalf.”
Two senior commanders, former deputy chief of general staff for operations, Peter Gatdet and former deputy chief of general staff for logistics, Gathoth Gatkuoth, were last month relieved from their duties on orders issued by the armed opposition leader, Machar.
Gatkuoth, speaking for the first time since his sacking, warned of split from Machar’s faction unless reforms were initiated in the military.
“We cannot divide ourselves because of reshuffling. How many times did [President] Salva Kiir reshuffle his cabinets and army? Does that result into internal divisions?” he asked.
The rebel official criticised those spreading information on the alleged split in the movement, saying they wanted to cause tension.
“Those are individuals against peace,” he said. “They are the very people who want to spoil [the] ongoing peace talks in Addis Ababa”.
Tanginye further accused those who published their names in the media as people whose intentions are to tarnish the images and destroy the will of the people of South Sudan, particularly the Nuer tribe.
“Am not aware that our names are being published that we have defected, these are serious allegations. Let me tell you none of us has switched side and I have to repeat this strongly,” he stressed.
He dismissed reports that he was part of the group assembled in Nairobi, Kenya to launch a new struggle. This, he said, will not work.
POSITION ON PEACE TALKS
Meanwhile, Tanginye insists the SPLM-IO’s position on the ongoing peace talks was very clear since it was the only option to end war
“What I want to tell you the people of South Sudan in general,
particularly those in UN [United Nations] camps in Malakal, Bentiu, Melut, Juba, Wau and Bor that we are ready this time to bring peace on our side. Let’s wait, peace is coming soon,” he said.
“Our position is very clear in Addis-Ababa. We will not disappoint South Sudanese this time. Peace will come by any means,” he added.
On Thursday, leading members of the South Sudanese governing Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and government officials claimed eminent division within the leadership of the rebel group could delay the signing of a peace agreement to end the more than 20 months old conflict, despite resumption of peace talks.
Talks between the two main rivals in South Sudan’s conflict resumed on 6 August in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa as pressure mounts ahead of the 17 August deadline set by regional mediators.
(ST).