General Johnson Olony turns down attempts to persuade him to travel to Juba

Sept 2, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — SPLM/A-IO gubernatorial nominee, Lt. Gen. Johnson Olony Thabo, has turned down more attempts to persuade him behind closed doors to accept conditions set forth by president Salva Kiir for his appointment.

Speaking to media after meeting a delegation that tracked him down for private discussions in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, Lt. Gen. Johnson Olony Thabo said he has told the delegation to tell president Salva Kiir to appoint him, just like all other nominees, without setting preconditions.

Gen. Olony has many reservations that include lack of implementation of security arrangements, legitimacy of the old Transitional Legislative Assembly that still runs the country and the viability of an unendorsed constitution among other protocols.

Gen. Olony met the IGAD delegation in Khartoum yesterday, September 1, 2020, at 4:15pm.

According to the SPLA-IO Spokesman, Brig. Gen William Gatjiath Deng, the mission was meant to persuade Gen. Olony to travel to Juba or else he cannot be appointed as the governor of the Upper Nile State. 

“The mission was aiming to persuade Gen.Johnson weather he could accept to go to Juba for further discussion pertaining his appointment by the president according to the team.” Brig. Gen. William Gatjiath said.

“They also stressed that the delay of the appointment of Gen. Johnson Olony, is that president is not ready to appoints him while he is not a member of the SPLM/A (IO) and owned the movement known as Agwelek.” Gatjiath continued.

Gen. Gatjiath wonders of why the government and IGAD are trying to interfere with the SPLM/A-IO internal affairs saying the government has no right to question Olony’s command within the SPLM/A(IO).

“But the question is Gen. Johnson Olony Thabo is the current sector one commander from Magenis up to Ayod with three (3) divisions a. Division (1) Agwelek, and Division (7) respectively also he is the current caretaker of Pashoda State based on the SPLM/A (IO) leadership structure.” Gatjiath asked.

According to SPLA-IO spokesman, Lt. Gen. Olony has reiterated that the peace agreement gives all parties equal rights and privileges and therefore no one party should dictate where a leader should be sworn in.

“Gen.Johnson Olony Thabo, said that the peace agreement is clear to everybody and gives equal rights and privileges to all parties to the agreement but what happened to my appointment as an individual? Why the transitional leadership wants me to go to Juba before my appointment?” Brig. Gen. Gatjiath explains.

Olony reiterates his commitment to the peace agreement under the SPLM/A-IO leadership and confirms that he will travel to Juba to take oath once he is appointed.