SPLM-IO decries comment of South Sudan’s army chief
April 9, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – The South Sudanese opposition faction, SPLM-IO, under the leadership of First Vice President designate, Riek Machar, has said comments of the Chief of General Staff of the government’s army are “anti-peace and anti-democracy.”
Speaking to his supporters on Tuesday in his home village of Malualkon in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, General Awan did not however elaborate on how to prevent Machar, a political leader, from becoming President.
Machar’s faction however responded by saying General Awan had no right and power to deny a citizen or political leader his or her right to contest for presidency in the country.
“His comment is anti-peace and anti-democracy. It is an unfortunate reminder that there are senior political and military officials of the government in Juba who are not for peace and democracy,” said James Gatdet Dak, spokesperson for Machar.
“It is a right of each and every citizen of South Sudan to aspire for any political leadership position, including the presidency,” he said.
He said it would be the law and the voters across the country, and not an individual, who can determine who should become president or not.
Dak however said the negative comments from the top army General are indicative of non-commitment of President Salva Kiir’s government to peace and a hidden agenda to violate it.
The opposition leader’s spokesman also added that it would not be surprising if the top leadership in Juba shared the “hate feelings” of the army chief, adding it would be better if the rest came out and denounced Awan’s statement.
SPLM-IO, he said, is committed to peace so as to end the suffering of the people of South Sudan, adding “peace shall finally prevail despite the warmongering by senior elements in the government.”
Elections, including presidential contests, according to the peace agreement, will be conducted at the end of 30 months of transitional period.
Awan has reportedly launched attacks against SPLA-IO’s forces in Western and Northern Bahr el Ghazal, saying they are not part of the opposition forces and will not be allowed to assemble in cantonment areas.
The army chief is said to have been one of the masterminds of the December 2013 military clashes, when he was governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, which sparked the 21 months of the civil war in the country.
He recruited thousands of youth from his ethnic Dinka who took part in the Juba massacre of members of Machar’s ethnic Nuer from 15 December 2013.
MACHAR ARRIVES ON 18 APRIL
The opposition leader’s Press Secretary also reconfirmed that Machar will arrive in the national capital, Juba, on 18 April as scheduled, saying there has not been any change to the schedule.
“18th April is the day the First Vice President designate is scheduled to arrive in Juba. The leadership has not changed the date,” he said.
Dak was responding to media queries whether or not the SPLM-IO’s top leader will arrive in Juba due to conflicting reports attributed to his colleague in the SPLA-IO’s military communication department.
On Friday, Colonel William Gatjiath Deng, military spokesperson of the SPLA-IO sent out a press statement, saying Machar will not arrive in Juba on 18 April.
Although Machar confirmed the 18 April date for his arrival to the national capital, the conflicting announcement by the opposition’s military spokesman raised doubts as to whether he will return as scheduled.
Dak however said the schedule has remained the same as officially communicated by the leadership to the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC).
He said the opposition faction’s deputy chairman and commander-in-chief, Alfred Ladu Gore, will soon travel to Juba ahead of Machar’s arrival.
There has been mounting pressure from the international community on the rival factions in South Sudan to form a transitional government of national unity as soon as possible in accordance with the August 2015 peace agreement.
(ST)