February 26th 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – Former South Sudan Minister of Labor and Public Service, Gen. Gathoth Gatkouth said on Monday that he and his group will negotiate a separate SPLM reunification process with the ruling SPLM-IG Chairman Salva Kiir Mayardiit without the FVP Taban Deng Gai.
Gatkouth on Monday announced during a press conference in the capital Juba that the SPLM-IO faction led by Gen. Taban Deng Gai has decided to withdraw confidence from the First Vice President and hinted at the possibility of recalling him from the deputy president position.
Speaking at a press conference held in Juba on Monday, Gatkouth said he is now the new Chairman who will lead a separate reunification process with Kiir with the exclusion of the FVP Taban Deng Gai.
“I will be carrying the cross of the SPLM/A-IO for 100 days to negotiate with Salva Kiir, the chairman of the SPLM; we will go to SPLM independently, without Taban,” Gen. Gatkouth said.
The SPLM/A IO, led by the first vice president is made up of former members of the main armed opposition group under the country’s First Vice-President designate, Dr. Riek Machar, who opted to remain in Juba following the renewed fighting in Juba in July 2016.
