Gen. Khamis accuse Taban Deng Gai for targeting Dinka as infighting engulfs Juba based SPLM-IO faction

28, February 2017 (Nyamilepedia) — Gen. Khamis Abdullatif Chawuol a senior official with the SPLM-IO Juba based faction has resigned from the Juba based opposition group lead by First Vice President Taban Deng Gai accusing the Vice President of being the worst Nuer politician South Sudan has ever had.

Khamis resigned from his position and denounce his loyalty to the current First Vice resident Taban Deng Gai saying Taban Deng is the “most tribalist Nuer politician” he has ever seen in his life.

In a two page long resignation letter, the former general directed a parade of attacks toward current South Sudan First Vice President Taban Deng Gai and those still loyal to him, saying the current First Vice resident was openly working against the Dinka tribe while serving as Vice President.

“I have seen and discovered that the SPLM-In-Opposition is targeting Dinka as a tribe which President Kiir hails from,” Chawuol said in his resignation letter

The general said Taban Deng Gai’s leadership was currently gripped by hardline and tribal policies designed to turn the country against the Dinka tribe.

Mr Chamuol accused the current First Vice President of lacking vision and only working in Juba to implement President Silva Kirr’s policies rather than implementing the so called peace agreement.

Gen. Khamis Chawuol is only one of a dozen of senior officials who have recently resigned either from Silva Kirr’s government of national unity or defected to the rebel group.

The First Vice President is said to have called an emergency meeting last week at the Crown Hotel in Juba after resignation and defection of several of his group’s top officials.

Taban Deng Gai allegedly told members of the SPLM-IO in Juba to be prepared for “anything ” as the peace implementation was not going as expected, he also warned that those who wanted to leave his party should leave and those who wanted to get out of the country to find their own ways as he could not guarantee their safety.

General Alfred Lado Gore the second most senior official in Taban Deng’s group is said to have left and has not been heard from since over a week.

Juba has recently been rocked by resignation of several ministers and top army generals who have accused President Salva Kiir of promoting one tribe system, encouraging atrocities and impunity while at the same time lacking commitment to restore genuine peace in South Sudan.

Taban Deng Gai’s group responded with a statement through its Secretary General saying Mr Chawuol was free to do what he wants.

“We regret the resignation of Gen. Khamis Abdelatif Chawuol from the SPLM/A-IO…. However, as a politician he has a right to decide on the current political matters that are facing the country”. Said a statement by Taban Deng’s Secretary General Dhuei Mathok

Many in the opposition group which have pledged its allegiance to President Salva Kiir’s government of National Unity in Juba have accused the groups leader Taban Deng Gai of running the Juba based SPLM-IO group with an iron fist and intimidation, leaving no room for free expression, while ignoring the views of other members within the group on issues of peace implementation.

Gen. Khamis who is a Dinka from Lakes State was a former director of South Sudan Television and Radio Broadcasting but resigned two years ago after accusing President Salva Kirr’s  government of corruption, favourism and lack of respect for professionalism and rule of law.