Juba, South Sudan
July 13, 2022 — Latest reports from Kitgwang, Upper Nile State, alleged that the deputy chairman and deputy commander-in-chief of the SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang has overthrown his chairman, 1st. Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual.
According Gen. Mabor Dhoal, who is one of the leading senior generals of the break away Kitgwang faction, they have decided to remove Gen. Gatwech because he is incompetent to lead them and as such he will just remain as a member of the group unless he decides to defect otherwise.
In a statement extended to Nyamilepedia, Lt. Gen. Mabor Dhoal confirmed that Lt. Gen. Olony is now their new chairman
“This is to confirm that General Johnson Olony is the new chairman of the SPLM-IO Kitgwang faction which was formerly led by Gatwech Dual.” Gen. Mabor said in a statement obtained by Nyamilepedia.
According to Gen. Mabor, their former chairman, Gen. Gatwech does not have good relations with president Kiir and he lacks competency to mobilize for their faction.
“We have decided to remove Gatwech because he is not capable of mobilizing for the implementation of the peace agreement and has no relations with Salva Kiir to implement the deal,” Gen. Mabor said.
Gen. Mabor also revealed that Gen. Olony he will be the new deputy chairman of Kitgwang and Gen. Paromi will lead their operations.
“General Olony is the new chairman, I am the deputy, Gen. Paromi is our operation commander and so we are soon we are going to appoint the rest of our leadership including the chief of staff,” Gen. Mabor disclosed.
Political standoff between Olony and his Boss Gatwech begun last year when the later decided to involve politicians in the movement, something General Johnson Olony opposes as he blames the politicians for the ongoing conflict in the world’s youngest nation.
Last week, Gatwech’s forces were forced out from Magenis by General Olony as result of their differences.
On the other hand, Gen. Mabor Dhoal, who comes from the same Lou-Nuer community as General Gatwech, left Magenis last month for Lou-Nuer where he currently resides.
