Dr Machar’s old comrade back to camp
The former Spokesman of the main armed opposition, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), Lual Awach Dut, who dumped Dr Riek Machar’s led SPLM-IO in 2020 has re-joined the movement.
According to an unverified document, purportedly written by Mr Awach, he said his previous decision was prompted by differences between him and some SPLM/A-IO members but the cracks have been mended.
“I hope this statement finds you healthy, I know many of you may wonder what happened to me again to rejoin back SPLM/A-IO leadership under visionary Chairman Cde Dr Riek Machar Teny. I do believe that many of you know the capacity of Dr Machar to build peaceful and prosperous South Sudan in the nearest future,” partly read the statement as quoted in The Paradise.
“As the majority of you know Dr Riek Machar is a great leader who builds young people politically to be the next future leaders of South Sudan.
“I have decided to resign from SPLM led by Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit and rejoin SPLM/A-IO under great political mentor H.E. Dr Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon visionary Chairman and First Vice President of the Republic.”
Awach hinted that he had pending personal differences with some party members but he was committed to the course of strengthening the party.
“Despite the fact that there are political differences between me and the rest of my comrades in SPLM/A IO NBG-S under the leadership of Cde Hon. Aweng Ibrahim Akoon, I hope it’s a great time for me to forgive them and begin a new political direction,” he was quoted stating.
The City Review could not independently verify the alleged defection of Mr Awach as several calls to the Director for Information and Public Relations who also serves as the Press Secretary in the Office of the First Vice President, Puok Both Baluang went unanswered.
However, this could be a recovery for the SPLM/A-IO which has been losing manpower due to numerous defections over the past two years to its main rival in the government and other opposition groups.
