July 4, 2021 — The military spokesperson of the SPLM/A-IO, Brigadier General William Gatjiath Deng is reportedly under house arrest in the capital, Juba.
According to insiders, the military spokesman was recalled to Juba under unclear circumstances more than two weeks ago; however, since then, he has been barred from leaving the capital and also from speaking to the media.
Upon his arrival, Gen. Gatjiath was not received at the airport like a senior military general and a military spokesman and neither was he accorded a proper accommodation in Juba.
“He came two weeks ago. We did not even know he came because he was not received or welcomed like other cadres of his ranks” Said the senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of reappraisal.
“After spending hours wondering around to figure his ways out, he came to the gate of the First Vice President and we informed his excellency [Dr. Riek Machar] who directed us to take him somewhere remote” The insider added.
“He lives in a remote room without power [electricity] and proper accommodation arrangement, no meal, no nothing” he further reiterated.
According to the SPLM-IO official, the spokesman was summoned by Dr. Machar a few days after his arrival; however, their conversation was not a pleasant one.
“A few days later he was summoned by his excellency. Their discussion was rough. Chairman told him that he and the Chief of Staff were plotting a coup to overthrow him in Magenis.” The senior official.
“So now he is told he cannot leave Juba and he cannot talk to media until his excellency decides to release him again” He alled.
Asked if he was relieved from his position, the senior official said Brig. Gen. Gatjiath has not be relieved but he cannot carry out his duties until further notice.
Attempts to reach the military spokesman to respond to this report at the time of this writing were not returned.
Gatjiath appear through social media a few days ago to clear the air after some social media users claimed that he was assaulted in Juba; however, he only confirmed his meeting with Dr. Machar and denied the allegations that he was hurt.
“I would like to inform the media warriors, sympathizers, and the diehard supporters of the revolutionary movement that, I am now in Juba and I met with the Chairman and Commander in Chief Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon, I have neither fought anyone, nor someones hurt” Brig. Gen. Gatjiath stated on June 30th, 2021.
