Juba, South Sudan, June 07, 2021 – SPLM-IO Chairperson and South Sudan First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar has bemoaned the untimely death of veteran army officer Gen. Simon Jok Gatwech who died in Khartoum on Sunday after a short illness.
According to sources familiar with the arrangements, the body of the deceased will be flown to his hometown Rubkuach in Mayiandit County of Unity State where he will be laid to rest.
In a statement extended to Nyamilepedia, Machar described Late Gatwech as a self-dedicated and committed veteran who devoted his whole life during Southerners’ Liberation struggles right from Anyanya days up to the time of the SPLA/SPLM armed struggle.
“1st Lt. Gen. Simon Jok Gatwech who devoted his entire life to Liberation of South Sudan as from Anyanya and SPLM/SPLA armed struggle”, Machar said in the statement.
Dr. Machar added that his death has left a huge vacuum to the movement and to the people of Unity State in particular because they lost a great veteran.
“On behalf of the SPLM/SPLA-IO and on my own behalf and family, I would like to convey my deepest condolences to the family, relatives, friends, and the entire people of Unity State for this loss”, Machar bemoaned.
The deceased served as the Inspector General of the SPLM-IO from 2014 to 2016 when he was replaced by Gen. Yien Oral Lam.
