June 25, 2021 — Responding to allegations that he has accepted appointments to serve as a presidential advisor for peace, the Chief of General Staff of the SPLM/A in Opposition, 1st. Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual, said he hasn’t accepted the appointments; stressing that he has reservations.
“I have no problem with my appointment, I will cheerfully accept the appointments and be honored to advise the presidency but first there must be peace that I can advise the presidency on” He said
“We cannot talk of peace or advise someone when there is no unified army to guarantee peace for innocent civilians and to protect the integrity of the country” The Chief of General Staff said.
In an exclusive interview with Nyamilepedia editorial team, Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual, stressed a set of preconditions that include full implementation of the security arrangements, rehabilitation and compensation, and relocation of the internally displaced persons be met prior to his appointment.
“First, the security arrangements which is one of the corner stone and concrete guarantee to
permanent peace in South Sudan is not fully implemented and lagging behind for almost
two years” Said the Chief of General Staff.
“Secondly, this war was never about me as an individual but about the people, who are currently languishing in the IDPs centers, refugees camps and all parts of the country” he continued.
In other report, the Office Director of the COGs, Brig. Gen. Samuel Mut Ghai, stressed the important of full implementation of the revitalized peace agreement, especially Chapter two that focuses on the security arrangement.
“Peace is not about the silence of guns, peace is when there is security and stability in the country. The security arrangement has not been implemented”, Brig. Gen. Samuel Mut said; adding that “it is not feasible to leave those young men and women languishing at the training camps.”
“Let the parties implement the security arrangements. Let the forces that are stranded in the training camps be graduated and deployed, and then I will take up my appointment or even retire and go home” He added.
According to Gen. Gatdual, the reports that are coming out of Juba that he has accepted the appointments are nothing but lies.
“What they are saying in Juba is a white lie [Kaac mi boor]. I have not accepted the appointment as a presidential advisor. I have reservations, let there be peace so that I can advise on peace” COGS said.
In one of his recent public briefings, president Salva Kiir said the revitalized peace agreement cannot be implemented even if it were to be implemented by the peace guarantors who designed it, leaving little hope that the parties will ever make breakthroughs.
