August 30, 2015(Nyamilepedia) — The leadership of the armed opposition, SPLM/SPLA, has appointed a new military spokesman, Colonel William Gatjiath Deng.
The new acting spokesman, Mr. Gatjiath, replaces Col Long T. Ngundeng, who has served since February this year when the then spokesman, Brigadier Lul Ruai, deserted his assignment in favor of returning to Juba.
According to Dr. Machar’s Press Secretary, James Gatdet Dak, the new acting spokesman will now cover the military issues as Gatdet will concentrate mostly on political issues.
“I want to take this opportunity to introduce to you my colleague, Colonel William Gatjiath Deng, who has become our acting military spokesperson.” Gatdet briefed the media.
Although Gatdet did not provide any details on the changes in the Military spokesman office, he has been covering both military and political issues for the past few weeks.
Brief Portfolio of Col. William Gatjiath Deng
Col. Gatjiath is a journalist by profession. He served as a journalist and the Director of Jonglei Radio in Jonglei state before the current war broke out on Dec 15, 2013.
He defected to the SPLA-IO in December 2013. Since then, he led military operations to contain government troops in Ayod town.
Gatjiath and other officers, fighting on Machar’s side, have been based at Gorwai military base, a suburb of less than 30 minutes walk from the contested Ayod town center.
3 comments
Welcome brother Gatjiath but please be careful since that seat become very hot after it was spoils by Lony T Ngundeng
Peter gatdet dak is one of the best peoples in the SPLM IO. what a professional guy? I hope the new spokes person will have the same integrity as him.
Dear comrades, colleagues, I know that almost 90% of the people movement led by His Excellency, Chairman of Sudan People Liberation Movement and Commander in Chief of the SPLA-IO, Dr. Riek Machar might have lost confidence on continual embarrassment by the two ex-SPLA-IO officers who deserted the movement with unknown reasons. I Col. William Gatjiath Deng, the newly appointed Spokesperson of SPLA-IO now on, requested your patiency, loyalness to work hand in hand to support our movement. Let us forget the first and open up the new chapter. I swear before you all comrades, that my coming to hold this position, would bring fundamental changes as I must apply high professionalism and ethics on the career.