By William Madouk Garang
SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang Declaration under Commander Gen. Simon Gatwech laughed at a claim that ‘dozens of their senior officers shifted allegiance to SPLM-IO under Dr. Riek Machar’s camp calling it as false and misinformation cooked by a seasonal defector.
The Spokesperson of Gen. Simon Gatwech, Alfred Gach Thot said Gen. Makuach Teny Yok rejoined Dr. Machar’s camp alone, adding no single officer from Kitgwang declaration had decamped.
Thot was reacting to the report which alleged that twenty high ranks of Kitgwang Declaration under Gatwech rejoined the SPLM-IO under First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar led by Gen. Yok in Sudan.
“That is totally false and misinformation cooked by a seasonal defector Gen. Makuach Teny,” Gatwech’s aide told No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper.
“The exaggerating numbers he said is totally untrue, he just left alone and we never know where Gen. Makuach got 20 senior offers from?,” he added.
He also accused Gen. Makuach of being politically indecisive saying he has been defecting from now and then, thus, his defection would not affect the Kitgwang movement.
“The SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang is a revolutionary movement where its supporters comprise of all the ten States. To be sincere, Gen. Makuach’s name is not even in the official file and ranks of SPLA-IO of Kitgwang,” he asserted.
“That is right of everyone to choose what is right for him or her and I wish him all the best in his new camp”.
The SPLM/A-IO Kit-Gwang also affirmed that they would work together with any opposition group that advocate for permanent peace to prevail in the Country, asserting to dialogue with any peace lover.
“My message to one who fabricated the numbers should desist from exaggerating things and prioritize the people’s interest than personal interest”.
Last Wednesday, it was alleged that a breakaway group headed by Gen. Makuach and 20 high ranking officers from Kitgwang faction have deserted to Machar’s party SPLM/A-IO in Sudan.
The group said they rejoined SPLM/A-IO under Machar for the interest of the revitalized peace agreement and to ensure stability across the country, vowing not to return to war.
“We have decided to join hands, declare our support and allegiance to the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny,” said ring leader Makuach.