On Saturday morning, fresh confrontations between two opposing military groups of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition occurred in the Magenis region of Upper Nile State (SPLA-IO).
Earlier this week, a group of military generals claimed that First Vice President Riek Machar had been removed from his positions as leader of the SPLM-IO and commander-in-chief of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO).
Among these senior generals are former Chief of Staff General Simon Gatwech Dual, Sector One Command’s General Johnson Olony, and Sector Three Command’s General Thomas Mabor Dhoal.
The new group appointed First Lieutenant General Simon Gatwech Dual as temporary head of the opposition. Riek Machar, on the other hand, held an emergency meeting on Thursday and refuted reports that he had been removed and replaced by General Simon Gatwech.
Chuol Deng, the SPLA-IO troops’ deputy spokesperson under Gen. Simon Gatwech, accused soldiers loyal to Riek Machar of attacking their Magenis positions this morning.
Deng stated this morning in a Radio Tamazuj broadcast obtained by NCMP that their group is still holding its ground in Magenis and that SPLA-IO troops loyal to Riek Machar are being repelled.
“We have apprehended several of the assailants’ cars. So far, one soldier has died and two more have been injured. Because the battle is still continuing, more information will be provided later,” Deng said.
Meanwhile, acting spokesman for Riek Machar Pouk Both Baluang stated: “A conference of the military leadership is now taking place in Juba to address the present situation.” Paul Lam Gabriel, our military spokesperson, would address the media soon after the meeting.”
