SPLM-IO youth criticise Upper Nile region deployments
March 12, 2016 (NYAL) – Youths and community members from Payinjiar county in South Sudan’s Unity state have criticised the recent rebel deployments within the area.
In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune Saturday, the group, comprising of youth and the area chiefs, petitioned the armed opposition’s militarily commander, Gen. Gatwech Dual and rebel leader, Riek Machar demanding that the deployments be halted.
“The recent deployment of the SPLA-IO higher officers and various administrations has really brought doubts among the youths of Payinjiar about your administration’s intentions concerning our community, as we learned [people] from Payinjiar county were not represented at all,” partly reads the petition Sudan Tribune obtained.
“We take this opportunity to inform you that the army deployment for Unity state is biased,” further noted the statement.
The group, in the petition, strongly condemned the recent military deployments, calling on the armed opposition leadership to immediately reverse it to encourage participation in the movement.
“Our community lost many heroes not simply because the conflict targeted us all, instead it is a clear evident for the vital trust between you and us,” the group said in the petition to the rebel leadership.
“We want to know how and why the Payinjiar community was not given equal representation in the army deployment. History will prove that since 1991 to date, the Panyinjiar community fully supported your leadership and remain united for the common purpose of your cause,” stressed the petition.
The armed youths, most of who fought alongside Machar’s led movement since South Sudan’s conflict broke out, have questioned the SPLM-IO’s “unfair” representation after edging out eight Major Generals hailing from Payinjiar without assignments.
“What is the value of our generals you promoted? Are they not qualified and meet the basic criteria you used to deploy their colleagues to various army positions in Unity state? Did you promote them by mistake,” queried the group.
DEMAND REMOVAL OF COMMANDERS
Meanwhile, the group accused Simon Maguek Gai, who was recently promoted to a Lt. General and assigned as sector two commander and Maj. Gen. Samuel Dok Wanjang, at the helm of division 4B commander for allegedly engineering the ongoing mess.
Gai and Wanjang hail from Machar’s home town of Leer county.
By assigning the two men, the group alleged, Machar is turning the armed opposition’s movement in to a one man’s property.
Speaking to Sudan Tribune by phone, the SPLM-IO commissioner in the area, Brigadier General Tap Puot Kang confirmed that Payinjiar youths were angered by the recent militarily deployment.
He, however, said the youth had the right to channel their demands as well as position to the SPLM-IO leadership council, acknowledging that he received a petition paper from the community and the youths.
“Yes, I have received the letter and am urging everyone to remain calm,” adding, that the SPLM-IO leadership will soon address demands raised by youth and community.
(ST)