The leader of Agwelek faction General Johnson Olony arrived in Malakal town Friday ahead of his arrival to Juba to implement a deal to integrate his forces into the government.
General Olony, one of the commanders in the former SPLM-IO Kitgwuang splinter group, was scheduled to arrive in Juba for the first time in nearly 10 years, on Saturday.
But the trip was adjourned to tomorrow, May 14, 2023 under unclear reasons.
“The commander First Lt. General Johnson Olony Thabo, the leader of the SPLM-IO Kitgwang faction with his accompanying delegation arrived in Malakal town this morning, and their departure to Juba has been postponed to tomorrow,” Agwelek Military Spokesperson Major General Yousif Paul Ngor announced.
General Olony and highranking members of his delegation including 1st Lt. Gen Thomas Mabor Dhel and 1st Ltn. Gen. Beny Muon will spend the Saturday night in Malakal town.
“So they are now in Malakal town, so base on central government arrangement they will be in Juba tomorrow at 10 AM,” Ngor said.
Last month, 36 members of General Olony security team arrived in Juba ahead of his return to the capital.
The SPLM party of President Salva Kiir and the SPLM-IO Kitwang group signed the Khartoum Peace Agreement to end the factional conflict in Upper Nile and Jonglei states.
However, General Gatwech later abandoned the agreement after voicing reservations about the terms of the deal.
A month after the agreement, President Salva Kiir granted amnesty to Agwelek and Kit-Gwang forces of the SPLM/A –IO splinter group.