By William Madouk
South Sudan government and an armed group led by General Simon Gatwech Dual, struck a deal in Port Sudan, in Sudan aimed at lessening conflict in the country.
The deal, inked by Gen Gatwech, the leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) Kitgwang faction was spear headed by General, Akec Tong Aleu, the Director General of Internal Security Bureau (ISB).
A document entailing power sharing deal shows that Kitgwang leader would allocate Deputy Commander in Chief of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces before jetting to Juba.
“Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual will be appointed as the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the SSPDF through Presidential Decree before his arrival in Juba,” partly reads the document by SPLM-IO-KD.
Based on the deal, there would be reorganisation and training of SPLA-IO KD Forces into an official military formation; thereafter, they would be integrated into the national army and other organised forces.
“The total strength of SPLM/A-IO KD is confirmed at 21,900 (Twenty-One Thousand Nine Hundred), with a 12-month timeline for training and reorganization,” it noted.
It added that any extensions will require consensus from both parties of the agreement.
While training and reorganization occur, Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual, Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of SPLM/A-IO KD, will remain in Port Sudan until Phase One of the agreement is fully implemented, according to the document.
Meanwhile, the document asserted that the remaining SPLM/A-IO KD forces would be directed to the designated assembly areas for a four-month training period.
“The allocation of key positions within the national government, as well as at state and county levels, will be granted to the SPLM/A-IO KD. Both parties have agreed to assign parliamentarian posts in national and state assemblies,”
Furthermore, Kitgwang leader would then be expected in Juba after the completion of the initial phases – in an agreement that is expected to be wrapped up within a year.
“It is imperative that the entire implementation is completed within a 12-month period, with any extensions to be discussed and agreed upon by both parties.”
However, in a phone call interview yesterday, Puok Both Baluang SPLM/A-IO Director for Information and Public Relations said they would reserve their comment until they are officially briefed on the content of the agreement.
“We are waiting for more clarity from the SPLM IG side to brief the other parties on the agreement that they have this struck a peace deal with Gen Gatwech, and so we will have our formal and official statement regarding this agreement,” he said.
Puok explained that the position of Deputy commander in chief of SSPDF only existed in the then peace between Dr. Riek Machar and the government and was to be for Dr. Machar, the first vice president.
“The position of the deputy commander-in-chief, it is not indicated in the agreement. In the agreement we have by then, his excellency [Dr. Machar] to be the deputy according to the revitalized peace agreement,”
He reiterated SPLM-IO’s commitment to genuine peace and inclusive peace in South Sudan.
“We urge all the other opposition groups that are non-signatories to the peace agreement and also to join the peace process under the revitalized peace agreement,” Puok noted.
Besides, the SPLA-IO military spokesman Col. Lam Paul Gabriel told this outlet that “the agreement between Gen. Gatwech Dual has nothing to do with the SPLM-IO or R-ARCSS and its structure.”
“It would be a complete violation and undermining of the agreement to create any position outside the structure of R-ARCSS,” Gabriel added.