July 3rd 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), under the leadership of the former South Sudan’s First Vice-President, Dr. Riek Machar, has denied social media rumors that James Gatdet Dak, the official Press Secretary of the Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of the SPLM-IO has been released.
“Not that we know, the release of James Gatdet Dak would have to be a third party involvement…If he is released…to who?, so people need to stop spreading news that can put his life in danger. We are concerned for his safety in light of this unconfirmed news” Mabior told the Nyamilepedia this evening.
“The SPLM/A (IO) would like to inform it’s members and the public at large, we are not aware of the information been circulated on the Social Media about the release of Cde James Gatdet Dak, the spokesperson in the office of Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon,” Baluang said in the statement extended to the Nyamilepedia.
The group said it will inform the public once agreement has been reached over his release between the government and the opposition group.
“In this context we would like to bring to your attention, when he (Gatdet) is freed, the arrangements will be through a third party similarly to the release of the SPLM Former Detainees in 2014, or the release of the regime’s prisoners of war by the SPLM/A (IO) authorities in Western Bahr El Ghezal and Phow States respectively, through ICRC last year,” the statement further said.
Baluang pointed out that once Gatdet is released, he would not stay in Juba saying this would make him a target of the regime’s hardliners.
“Moreover, once Cde James Gatdet gets released, he won’t stay in Juba, because it would make him a target, not forgetting to mention also there is a state of emergency in Juba,” he said.
Early, Baluang told the Nyamilepedia in the day that the SPLM-IO leadership has no any contact yet with Gatdet which he said suggests the fact that he has not yet been released.
