Machar endorses SPLM-Kit Gwang deal
SPLM/A-IO Chairman Riek Machar has backed the peace agreement inked between SPLM-IG and SPLM/A-IO Kit Gwang by ordering his forces to cease hostilities against the Kit Gwang forces but warned against further confrontation.
Machar issued a directive acknowledging the agreement days after the government delegation led by the Presidential Security Advisor, Tut Gatluak, met with the Kit Gwang delegation in Khartoum and penned the peace deal. The deal entails the integration of Kit Gwang and Agwelek forces into the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).
Kit Gwang faction and SPLM/A-IO had been feuding for over five months before the agreement since Simon Gatwech and his deputy, Johnson Olony, declared an ouster against Machar as the chairman of SPLM/A-IO in August 2021.
New twist
But as it is, Machar now considers Kit Gwang’s forces part of the SSPDF in honour of the Khartoum peace agreement and would not need any further confrontation from his forces or Kit Gwang and Agwelek forces with respect to the Khartoum Declaration of June 27, 2018.
“SPLM/A-IO forces are to disengage and ceasefire with Kit Gwang forces, just like the current existing ceasefire between the SPLM/A-IO and the SSPDF as per Khartoum Declaration of Agreement of June 27th, 2018, which came into effect on July 1st, 2018. Navigation on the White Nile River must be secured,” Machar’s faction noted in the statement.
Rationale questioned
Ironically, he described the Khartoum peace deal between SPLM-IG and Kit Gwang as a “defection agreement” dubbed the “Khartoum peace agreement.”
The Director for Information and Public Relations in the office of First Vice President Puok Both Baluang told The City Review yesterday that they called the “Khartoum peace agreement” a “defection agreement” because it was a clear violation of R-ARCSS, which bars parties from further recruitment.
“Both parties are not supposed to make recruitment signified by the integration of forces, but we respect it. We will now consider them as SSPDF,” Puok said.
He appealed to President Salva Kiir Mayardit to give a directive for Kit Gwang and Agwelek forces not to attack SPLM/A-IO saying such an event could sabotage R-ARCSS.
“We urge the SPLM-IG to direct their forces not to attack our forces because if they do, we shall consider them as SSPDF forces which have attacked our forces,” he said, adding the agreement would bring peace to troubled Magenis in Upper Nile State.
Amnesty granted
President Salva Kiir granted the Kit Gwang faction amnesty on Sunday and directed them to apologise to the people of South Sudan “for wrongdoing,” ending the five-month war.
“I want to tell my brothers and sisters from Agwelek and the SPLM/A-IO breakaway faction of Kit-Gwang forces that I have forgiven them on behalf of the people of South Sudan. Therefore, the people of South Sudan are expecting an apology for wrongdoing from you,” Kiir said.
The SSPDF spokesperson, Maj Gen Lul Ruai Koang, said on Tuesday that they were waiting for the delegation from Khartoum to give directions on the formation of the joint security committee.
Contents of agreement
The two documents involving Agwelek Forces and Kit Gwang Forces entailed the formation of the Joint Security Committee within three months to take the lead in the implementation of the agreement.
One of the documents stated that “The committee shall meet to agree on its terms of reference, identify the assembly areas at Monyo, Southern Malakal, Eastern Jonglei, and other areas, and receive lists and parade of SPLM/A-IO Kit Gwang forces as well.”
Kit Gwang forces were to be integrated into the SSPDF and relocated from Magenis as police should be deployed to protect civilians.
The logistical supplies were accepted by SPLM-IG to be provided through SSPDF, and coordination offices would be established in Bor, Juba, and Malakal. Both parties to the agreement vowed to comply with the June 27, 2018 peace agreement for a complete cessation of hostilities.
“The parties recognise and recommit themselves to the ceasefire as per the Khartoum Declaration of Agreement of June 27, 2018, which came into effect on July 1, 2018.
It was agreed that Agwelek forces should be integrated into the SSPDF but be independent and would respect the ceasefire.
The parties to the agreement also resolved that “Chollo areas’ boundaries should be resolved as they stood on the 1/1/1956 map and as provided for in the R-ARCSS” and “the two parties agreed that, there shall be a communities’ forum for peace and reconciliation between the Chollo, Dinka Apadang in Upper Nile State and Ruweng,” to promote peaceful coexistence among communities.
Not an agreement
The Spokesperson of SPLA-IO forces, Col. Lam Paul, recently said the agreement signed between SPLM-IG and SPLM/A-IO Kit Gwang “was not a peace agreement.”
Lam blamed the parties to the agreement for not involving the SPLM/A-IO in the agreement, adding that it might later trigger a violation of the ceasefire.
“The SPLA-IO has been keenly monitoring the agreement and what was signed cannot be called the peace agreement,” Col. Lam said.
“That is a clear indication of a way of paying Kit-Gwang for joining the SSPDF, which is a defection.”
