April 20, 2016(Nyamilepedia) —– The long awaited Chief of General Staff of SPLA in Opposition, 1st Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual, is expected to arrive in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, this afternoon to expedite the return of the First Vice Preisdent, Dr. Riek Machar Teny.
According to ambassador Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, South Sudan’s former ambassador to Washington and the current Secretary of Foreign Affairs of SPLM/SPLA-IO, the Chief of General Staff, 1st.Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual, could not arrive in Juba two days ago as scheduled due to delayed approval of his landing by South Sudan government and also due to lack of logistic
“The Chief of General Staff of SPLA (IO) 1st Lt General Simon Gatwech Dual’s airplane is not cleared by Juba to land.” Lol explain in a press release extended to Nyamilepedia.
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Ambassador Lol explains the Chief of SPLA-IO army could not travel because the Tarco Airlines, which was chartered by SPLM/SPLA-IO, decided to cancel the trip on April 19th due to communication breakdown as South Sudan government insisted that the General must not be armed with troops and weapons.
“The Tarco Airlines chartered by the SPLM / SPLA (IO) to take the Chief of General Staff had decided today to cancel the contract due to none clearance of the airplane by Juba.” Lol explains.
To resolve the issue, Lol said the armed Opposition has sealed a deal with the Ethiopian Government to jet in the rebel chief with all his troops.
The ambassador is hopeful that Gen. Gatwech could arrive today if a charter is found.
“Now the SPLM /SPLA (IO) has contacted the Ethiopian Airlines to charter an airplane for the Chief of General Staff to be flown to Juba tomorrow April 21, 2016. We are waiting for availability of the plane.” Said the former ambassador to Washington.
“We wanted to inform the world that due to the logistical challenges we are facing the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan H.E Dr Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon could not arrive in Juba as scheduled.” Lol said”The SPLM/SPLA (IO) is committed to peace and we wanted to register our full commitment to the Agreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.” He continued.
The SPLM/SPLA-IO has responded swiftly criticizing Salva Kiir government and Minister Makuei Lueth for “using propaganda” against their leadership.
“the leadership of the SPLM/SPLA (in opposition) calls on our partners in peace to stop misinforming the public about the implementation of the ARCISS and commit to it fully. the SPLM/SPLA also appeals to the people of South Sudan to read the agreement to avoid misinformation by the enemies of peace in and out of the government.” Said Mabior Garang de Mabior, the Chairperson of Information and Public Relation of SPLM/SPLA-IO.
According to South Sudan’s Minister of information and broadcasting, Michael Makuei Lueth, the rebels cannot bring more than 40 additional troops to Juba due to security concerns, a statement that brewed controversy within the government ranks.
“The Government of the Republic of South Sudan welcomes the SPLM/S-IO Chief of General Staff with 40 of his forces to complete the SPLM/A-IO forces in Juba. JMEC shall approve their armament and verified by CTSAMM,” clarified Makuei.
Makuei’s statement was responded to by many peace lovers on both sides including the bitter chief of SPLA army, Gen. Paul Malong Awan.
“ If Dr. Riek comes for war is my responsibility, not Michael Makuei, but I’m sure Dr.Riek is coming for peace. Michael Makuei must back off.” Gen. Malong Awan, the Chief of SPLA-IG, reportedly responded to Makuei Lueth.
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2 comments
Thanks you so much, H.E Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, for your insight regarding the case of delaying for H.Lt General, Simon Gatwech Dual. H.Lt chief of staffs General Simon Gatwech was expected to arrived in Juba sometimes ago and some might be wonder, about what is going on? It is good that you clearly verified all reasons behind the delay. It’s services problem not anyone’s problem from SPLA IO, ,facilities are inadequate in your hands for now.
Juba will have two chiefs of staffs what a screwed up country. Let them have a tea party and no alcohol please. You don’t want Malong and Kiir getting drunk while paranoid as sh*t.