Gen Simon Gatwech:’Dr Riek Machar wanted Nuer to fight each other again, but I refused.’

General Simon Gatwech Dual

General Simon Gatwech Dual Source: Screenshot CCTV News

South Sudanese First Vice President Dr Riek Machar Teny, the chairman and commander in chief of the SPLM IO forces, has relieved Gen Simon Gatwech Dual as the SPLA IO military chief.


 

Highlights 
  • Gen Simon Gatwech Dual is relieved 
  • Simon alleged that Dr Riek is trying to let the Nuer fight themselves again. 
  • While Simon is still responsible for some forces, what is the future of SPLM IO?

 


The letter for his removal came days after General Simon Gatwech rejected the appointment as Presidential Advisor for peace. The decree was aired on national TV, but Gen Simon, in an interview with radio Tamazunj, alleged that he was not consulted about the appointment.

 

"There is nothing in the peace agreement that says or recommends creating the position of Presidential advisor on peace. These are delaying tactics….. Dr Riek Machar went to Juba to receive salaries, but my soldiers and I are still here in the bush, and we received nothing…..Riek is now working with Salva Kiir, and he is trying to undermine what I'm doing or trying to let Nuer fight each other again, but I wouldn't allow that.

 

Since 2013, Gen Simon Gatwech Dual has been with Dr Riek Machar and again in 2016, but could the fallout now be the beginning of another turmoil in South Sudan? While speaking with radio, Tamazunj, Gen Simon Gatwech Dual alleged that he confiscated 'military uniforms and guns supplied by Dr Riek Machar to Nuer land'.

 

"On the 05/06/2021, Riek Machar sends guns and uniforms because they need to catch me or make people of Nuer fight each other again, but I was able to confiscate them…. I'm not going to Juba because I don't want to leave my soldiers here in these sufferings."
 


 

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