Gatwech responds to military provocation claim
The Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) Kitgwang faction under Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech has responded to the accusation that its forces were engaging in the military provocation of the SPLA-IO under Riek Machar.
The Press Secretary of SPLA-IO Kit Gwang splinter group, James Kalany Mamuon, said Gatwech was for peace and that the leader of the breakaway group was not engaging in any armed provocation.
This comes after the Gatwech faction claimed victory in Mirmir on Thursday. Kalany claimed that their forces were attacked first and they responded in self-defence and repulsed the opposition forces before taking control of the area.
He called on South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) to hold dialogue with Dr Machar’s forces to stop attacking their positions, claiming that they were maintaining peace across the country.
“We want SSPDF to reign on Riek Machar’s forces to stop fighting. The SSPDF will use its leverage as peace partners to pursue Riek Machar to stop the war and choose peace since he is the FVP of the country. “
Attacks had been happening since Kit Gwang chairman, Simon Gatwech Dual left Khartoum for Magenis, especially, at the cantonment sites of the SPLM/A-IO forces twice in Nasir, the headquarters of Machar’s SPLM/A, and the yesterday’s attack in Mirmir, which are both cantonment sites for Machar’s forces.
He confirmed that Gatwech was still in Magenis and said that it was not the return of Kit Gwang, the chairperson that led to clashes, claiming that their forces were attacked by the SPLA-IO forces while they were on peace negotiations in Khartoum.
“Even when we were negotiating with the government of South Sudan in Khartoum, we were attacked twice in AKobo and Nasir respectively and while our Chairman was in Khartoum. Our Chairman is for peace, not for war,” he claimed.
