July 30, 2017(Nyamilepedia) —— The SPLM/A in Opposition condemns a report that was published yesterday by the Online Sudan Trubune, alleging that their commanding officers who are leading operation in Northern Upper Nile have defected to SPLA-IG, as false, baseless and misleading fabrication.
According to Brig. Gen. William Gatjiath Deang, the report alleged that “Jikany Nuer Community in Ethiopia” have received and applauded the defection of Gen. James Khor Chuol Giet, Gen. Thok Chuol Luak, Gen. Thok Chuol Liey and Gen. Stephen Pal Kun Kek.
“The SPLM/A (IO) also refutes and condemns with contempt it deserves the false, baseless and misleading publication on the online Sudan Tribune of yesterday July 29, 2017 by a group calling themselves “Jikany Nuer Community in Ethiopia” who claimed that our very own brave General James Khor Chuol Giet, General Thok Chuol Luak, General Thok Chuol Liey and General Stephen Pal Kun Kek joined the Juba regime.” Said. Brig. Gatjiath Deang.
Gatjiath calls on SPLM/A-IO supporters and sympathetizers to not be distracted by such propaganda which are being spread by the enemy in Juba, South Sudan.
“These Generals are preoccupied with their normal command duties, and we urge all the SPLM-SPLA (IO) members, supporters and sympathizers to remain focus and not succumb to this blackmail or/and any other malicious circulations.” Gatjiath said.
Reacting on social media, many supporters, family members and relatives of the accused generals dispute the reports saying if such leading officers defected, their defection could not have been announced by an anonymous group of civilians in Juba or Addis Ababa but by military officers of their level or their family members.
“defection of military Generals cannot be announced by community in hotel but by army men in a military Barack. I’m here waiting for Sudantribune apology letter on his articles of Date 29/72017 that said, spla-io 4 Generals joined Salva Kiir regime. Our Generals in Pagak did not and ll not think of doing that” Said Gatwech Koang Toang, military officer of SPLA.
“poor coordinator of Crownist SPLM-Kiir David Dang Kong in Ethiopia Addis Ababa blindfolded sudantribune that, our Four generals defected to Salva Kiir forces who are in landlocked area in SPLM-IO controlled area of #Gatjaakkiir-Kaker in around MathiangKiir land. This is not even a white liars but trying to create a confusion among supporters of people’s movement SPLM/A-IO around the globe.” Gatwech continued.
“The so call sudantribune need to be careful on reporting or in taking news from Juba reporters.” He added.
Earlier reports from Garang John, a journalist who reports for South Sudan TV, alleged that Lt. Gen. Khor Chuol Giet has been killed and Pagak, the SPLA-IO headquarter, was under siege as of July 16. Both reports turned out to be false.
“UPDATES: The stronghold of the rebel group led by Riek Machar is under siege. Pagak is under serious military lockdown as forces loyal to Gen. Taban Deng Gai battle militants they described as anti peace elements who have rejected the call for national dialogue. A reliable source who spoke to me on condition of anonymity from the area said the army is just few kilometers away from, Pagak, a town located at the border of South Sudan and Ethiopia. He added that SPLA IO troops loyal to Gen. Taban Deng have seized several weapons from Machar’s militants after series of fierce gun battle on their way to Pagak. An aid worker who left Pagak for Gambela Ethiopia told me that Pagak is being bombarded, adding that the residents have been fleeing toward Ethiopia for the last two days” Said Garang John.
