By William Madouk Garang
Some military officers from Sudan People’s Liberation Army – in Opposition (SPLA-IO) have accused the party’s chairman Dr. Riek Machar of favouring his family members and appointed them in government’s top positions.
This comes after 11 military generals defected from Machar’s camp and joined SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang Faction led by Gen. Simon Gatwech along with 130 NCOs and privates.
However, SPLM/A-IO under Machar is yet to comment on the matter, as several attempts to reach the Press Secretary in the Office of the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny were not successful – as his known number could not be reached during the press time.
In a statement, a team led by Brig. Gen. Bandak Chuol Dhol declared their intention to join Kitgwang, asserting that Dr Machar needs to be removed because he has been a roadblock.
“We want to make it clear that we switch our loyalty from SPLM/A-IO led by Dr. Riek Machar to SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang faction led by Gen. Simon Gatwech,” the statement read in part.
“The removal of Riek Machar from the leadership of SPLM/A-IO is long overdue because Riek Machar has been a road block,” it added.
The group accused Machar of making random promotions which are not based on participation and also employing his family in top positions, while neglecting those working hard.
“Riek Machar does not make promotions on the grounds of participation. He randomly promotes people who have not participated and he usually leaves those who participated without promotion,” they said.
“Riek Machar always put his relatives first especially when there is something good. For example, his relatives are now holding many senior positions in the Transitional government,” they continued.
The group claimed that Machar usually wants to work with uneducated, less educated and educated people who are new to him simply because those categories will not see his weakness.
They alleged that Machar is a self-centered person who doesn’t accept other people’s ideas, asserting that SPLM/A-IO party under Machar is soiled with corruption without action taken to address it.
“There is a wide spread corruption in SPLM/A-10 under the leadership of Riek Machar. Some senior commanders sell rations and weapons. But Riek Machar does not stand concerned about these corruption practices even when they are reported to him” the group said.
The group said, peace agreement between Salva Kiir and Riek Machar is like an envelope without a letter inside due to its sluggish and hesitancy in implementing peace to prolong their stay in power.
“For them to stay in power they made a shocking extension of the Transitional Government for two years that is from February 2023 to February 2025”.
They also condemned the burning alive of Brigadier General Gatluak Majiok Liey and the execution by firing squad of many others which happened in Mayom in Western Upper Nile State.
“This is a murder because there was no trial or investigation. This absolute barbarism of burning a person alive outraged most of the people in South Sudan, Africa and around the world”.
Other opposition officers who joined Gatwech with Gen. Bandak are Col. Chigach Kir Rut, Col. Michael Lual Jok Lam, Maj. John Buom Tut Maleak, Capt. Dobuol Thiyang Gew Nhial, and Capt. Ret Geng Kueth Wunbil.
Capt. Yong Met Koryom Bithuow, 1st Lt. Nyaluak Jakok Garang Jaak, 1st Lt. Nhial Koang Ret Mier, 1st Lt. Kuothekur Tutlow Chuol Lol.