January 14th 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition denied on Monday social media claims that its Fashoda State Governor and Sector one Commander Gen. Johnson Olony defected.
On Sunday, social media reports claimed the top rebel commander had defected from the main armed opposition group led by the country’s First Vice-President designate Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon.
In a statement issued on Monday, the SPLM-IO Director of Informations and Public Relations, Puok Both Baluang, said the social media reports are baseless terming them as “propaganda” saying Gen. Olony remains the SPLA-IO Sector One Commander and the Governor of Fashoda state as well.
“The SPLM/A (IO) would like to assure members, the People of South Sudan and the public at large, that this is mere propaganda and wishful thinking. Lt. General Johnson Olony is still the Governor of Fashoda State and Sector One (1) Commander in our ranks,” Baluang said in the statement extended to the Nyamilepedia.
He further warned supporters not to believe similar reports which he say are being created by those he termed as “enemies” to confuse the public.
“The SPLM/A (IO) would like to caution members to be vigilant and should not succumb to this malicious propaganda by our enemies, which intended to create division in your Movement,” he added.
The reports claimed the commander defected over lack of inclusive peace agreement signed by Machar and President Salva Kiir Mayardiit in September 2019.
