President Salva Kiir has reiterated his disapproval of the divisions within the SPLM/A-IO.
He stated that the violent disagreements between Dr. Riek Machar and a faction allied to General Simon Gatwech Dual will derail efforts to attain total peace.
“We have Simon Gatwech Dual and Johnson Olony who are senior members of the SPLM/SPLA-IO who are now fighting with Dr. Riek…this thing is not good,” Kiir said.
The violence in the SPLM/A-IO started after field commanders allied to General Simon Gatwech said they had removed Dr. Riek Machar as the commander-in-chief of the movement.
In a declaration issued at Kit-gwang/Magenis, the group announced Gatwech Dual as the interim leader of the SPLM/A-IO and the possible replacement for Machar as the First Vice President.
A few days later, clashes were reported in Magenis area with at least 34 soldiers dead.
The region has said the in-fighting may have significant and long-term implications on the broader security and humanitarian situation as well as the peace process in South Sudan.
In his remarks yesterday, President Salva Kiir also opposed any activity that will return the country to violence.
“Let us embrace the voice of peace so that we don’t have obstacles, and so that we succeed,” the President asserted.