Khartoum, Sudan
October 6, 2021—The leadership of breakaway faction of the SPLM/A-IO, currently identified as the “SPLM/A-IO reformists” under Cde. Duer Tut Duer, the SPLM-IO former governor of Defunct Sobat State, has refuted the allegations that they have joined the Kitgwang Faction of General Simon Gatwech Dual.
Responding to a statement, which has been circulating on media, Hon. Duer Tut Duer denied the allegations saying the document is not genuine.
Speaking to Nyamilepedia from Khartoum, Duer Tut Duer, said the allegations that they joined Kitgwang camp is not an accurate information, adding that he can’t say anything regarding the ongoing negotiations between the Kitgwang group and the government since he is not part of it.
“This is not true and I have nothing to say about that, besides that we are not and don’t want to be part of this peace process”, Duer Tut told Nyamilepedia.
Hon. Duer, who has been an adamant critic of Machar’s leadership, stated that he and the defacto Chairman, Gen. Simon Gatwech, haven’t made a decision to merge their forces, adding that the duo haven’t met for the past four months.
“There is NO Decision taken by Duer and Gatwech to join together. Duer and Gatwech have not met and have not talked since the 28th May 2021”, Duer stated on his Facebook account.
The senior opposition leader made it clear that Kitgwang and his reformist faction can never come together since they are chasing different causes and they are fighting different enemies.
“The Reformists under Duer and Kitgwang group under Gatwech can NOT come together, because they are NOT fighting for the same cause and they are not fighting the same enemy. As usual, we are not fighting for positions”, Duer stressed.
“Reformists will never join any other group, but Reformists will accept other groups to join them”,he emphasized.
In June, Duer Tut Duer announced unilaterally on media that he ousted Dr. Riek Machar from the leadership of the SPLM/A-IO and declared himself as an interim Chairman; however, Gen. Gatwech also came out to announce having ousted Machar.
Due to weak leadership in the SPLM/A-IO, nearly all the senior military generals and politicians have defected either to form their own parties or to rejoin president Kiir leaving Machar more vulnerable to his main rivals.
