By William Madouk
Following a successful agreement between the government and the SPLM-IO (Kitgwang) faction in Sudan earlier this month, Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual is preparing to return to Juba.
His advance team, led by Gatluak Kuany Wour, is already in the capital.
“We truly thank and appreciate the National Security Services (NSS) for their efforts in pursuing the dialogues which brought about the peace which was signed on the 2nd of February,” he said.
“A message from our chairman (Gen. Gatwech) to the people of South Sudan is that he’s committed to the term of this peace, and that is why he sent us here to ensure or contribute to the implementation process or operationalization of the term which were agreed on,” Wour added.
The head of delegation believes that if the peace deal is implemented in its entirety ‘the voice of the people in our country will definitely be heard’ and restore the broken social fabric.
He clarified that Gen. Gatwech did not join Dr. Riek Machar in Juba due to failure in implementing security arrangements in the 2018 peace deal.
“He (Gatwech) refused to leave his soldier out and come to Juba. Since he defected from SPLA-IO (allied to Machar), he never attacked any forces of the government, nor any village in Nassir,” he claimed.
When asked about the suffering they might have implicated on civilians, Wour denied Kitgwang’s involvement in attacks against civilians.
He stated that if any civilians were affected in Upper Nile, it was likely the work of other armed groups.
“So, if there is suffering in Nassir or Upper Nile in particular, it has nothing to do with Gatwech’s forces. It must be a force of other people than Simon Gatwech. I remember vividly that our force never attacked any forces of government, nor the civilian,” he added.
Meanwhile, Justice Musa Gatluak, the Kitgwang spokesperson appreciated President Salva Kiir for entrusting National Security Service leadership to bring about peace, harmony and tranquility in the country.
“Simon Gatwech is sending a clear message to the people of South Sudan and the whole region that the time has come for us to work together and bring peace to our country so that the tired citizens can return to their region and live in peace,” said Musa.
He noted that Gen. Gatwech realized the suffering of citizens and thus decided to join the peace wagon for a total return of peace and stability in the Republic of South Sudan.
“Our presence tonight represents proof of our good intentions and commitment to the signed agreement. We have come as a leading delegation to start the implementation of this agreement,” he echoed.
Equally, David John Kumuri, the Director of Public Relations in the National Security Service internal bureau, said the arrival of Kitgwang military advanced team emanated from the president’s amnesty.
“As the mandate of the National Security Service, the ISB Security Bureau under General Akech Tong Aleu undertook lead negotiation that has resulted in the current arrival of the advance team that you witnessed,” he explained.
“This crucial step, supplementary modalities for final arrival of General Simon Gatwech Dual will be arranged and soon, he will be received here in Juba city for concluding the military integration into South Sudan people’s defense force military ranks and files,” Kumuri added.
The NSS reiterated its stand on commitment to protection of territorial integrity, national interest, and fostering of peace, security, and harmony of the Republic of South Sudan.
Recently, South Sudan government reached an agreement with one of the armed groups, led by General Simon Gatwech Dual, to mitigate the conflict in the country.
General Gatwech, the leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) Kitgwang faction, signed a pact with the government delegation, led by General Akec Tong Aleu, the Director General of the Internal Security Bureau (ISB).
In 2022, the “Kit Gwang” faction signed a peace agreement with the government of South Sudan.
The Khartoum Peace Agreement of June 27, 2018, guarantees the implementation of security arrangements and a permanent ceasefire and grants the “Kit Gwang” faction amnesty and integration of its forces into the national army.
They signed that they would be committed to the Khartoum Declaration Agreement, and support the settlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other government initiatives.
The implementation of the agreement is to be carried out by the Joint Security Committee, which would be formed within three months and ensure that the Kit Gwang forces are relocated to Manyo, Southern Malakal, and Eastern Jonglei.
Then, the government would deploy police to secure the civilians and coordination offices built in Bor, Juba, and Malakal as food and medical supplies would be provided by the SSPDF.
The peace pact was signed by the President’s then-security advisor Tut Gatluak, the former Director-General of the National Security’s Internal Security Bureau, Akol Koor, and ex-SSPDF Military Intelligence Director General Stephen Marshal on behalf of the South Sudan government.
Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual and his deputy at the time, Gen. Johnson Olony, signed the deal on behalf of their SPLM/A-IO breakaway Kitgwang faction.