Gen. Johnson Olony speaks with President Kiir June 7, 2023 - Credit: Office of the President

President Salva Kiir and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces has integrated into the SSPDF Johnson Olony, the former leader of the Agwelek forces as a Lieutenant General, and his deputy Thomas Mabor  Dhuol  as  Major General, according to spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai.

Johson Olony and Thomas Mabor commanded the former rebel group as General and 1st Leutenant Generals respectively.

In a document dated April 3rd, obtained by Eye Radio Kiir also integrated ten former senior officers of the Kit-Gwang/Agwelek forces as Brigadiers.

These include James Buony Muon, Parom Anguei Otient Kudit, Chang Diing Anyong Majok,  Sabino Otor Kayal Yor, Deng Garang Chol Bul, Lero Olok Odola Goy and Stephen Aban Kwathi Akui.

Others are Adwok Ogeny Mallwak Dowin,  Malual Riak Puok and Kuany.

“On the third of this month. H.E the President in his capacity as Commander- in-chief of SSPDF commissioned and integrated into SSPDF Senor officers from Agweleg forces.

“General Johnson Olony was commissioned and integrated into SSPDF as Lieutenant General, General. Mabor Dhuol was commissioned and integrated at the rank of Major General, and the rest as brigadiers,” said Gen.Lul

Meanwhile, Gen Lul confirmed that, a 15-member committee was dispatched to Malakal recently to assemble the former Aqwelek forces for screening and integration into the SSPDF forces.

The committee is being led by  Major General Kolang Mayen, the deputy chief of military intelligence of the SSPDF.

“About a week ago an advance team  went to Malakal with the clear responsibility and preferred forces and take them to various assemble areas.

“When they are done with the assembling of the forces,  they will send the  message to the main committee and the main committee will fly to Malakal  to go and start screening, reorganization and integration of Agwaleg forces into SSPD, ” Lul added.

The 2022 deal in Khartoum, Sudan

The latest development is part of implementation of the Jannuary 16, 2022 peace accord between the SPLM-IG and the Kit-Gwang faction of the SPLM/A-IO that aimed at expediting full implementation of the September 2018 peace accord.

The Kit-Gwang splinter group was under Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual, the Former SPLA-IO Chief of General Staff, deputized by Gen. Johnson Olony of the Agwelek forces.

But the two men signed two separate agreements on Sunday despite all being the leaders of the same faction.Gatwech abandoned the deal later on citing it slow implementation.

The agreement between Gen. Gatwech and the Kiir’s party underscored the status of forces and maintaining the 2018 permanent cease fire agreement.

They also agreed that, the President Kiir issued an amnesty to the forces and leadership of the SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang as previously done on August 8, 2018.

The agreement also provides for the establishment of coordination offices in Bor and Malakal to enable for the reintegration of the forces into the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces.

In another separate deal, Olony agreed with the government to maintain the borders of Shilluk land as they stood on January 1, 1956.

They also agreed to maintain a separate force until when preparations and arrangements are completed to reintegrate them into the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces.

The Director of Internal Security Bureau Gen. Akol Koor Kuch signed on behalf of the government.

Presidential Adviser on National Security Affairs, Tut Gatluak who headed the delegation assured the splinter group for full implementation of the agreement including integrating their forces into the national army.

But General Gatwech later abandoned the deal citing a slow implementation, accusing the SPLM-IO and Johnson Olony of doing it not in good faith.