Mamer Abraham
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The chairman of SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang declaration, Simon Gatwech, has announced his commitment to grant humanitarian access to Upper Nile State.
Gatwech urged humanitarian agencies to swiftly provide aid and promised protection to aid workers as they provide humanitarian assistance to the areas affected by violence.
“In light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, we the SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang Declaration appeal to local NGOs and international agencies to reach out to the innocent civilians who have been affected by the escalating violence and COVID-19 pandemic in Isolated areas to deliver protection and humanitarian assistance to people in need,” he said.
“The SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang Declaration is ready to grant access and offer protection to local NGOs and international agencies in its controlled areas.”
The armed opposition leader who had been feuding with his former ally, Johnson Olony, leading to the killing of masses and displacing others, yesterday said in a statement that war was not a solution to both political and military differences.
He called for the mediation to be brokered by the international community and other regional organisations to ensure stability in South Sudan.
“I am here appealing to regional actors and the international community to initiate an inclusive political settlement to resolve the ongoing political, economic and military crisis in South Sudan,” he continued.
“War is not and will never be the best choice to resolve political differences in South Sudan.”
Last week, Gatwech held a meeting with Chollo community elders, assuring them of his commitment to dialogue to settle feuds between him and Johnson Olony.
“Gen Simon Gatwech Dual narrated the whole scenario and told Chollo Community elders that he is open and ready for a peaceful settlement,” Alfred Gach, Gatwech’s Spokesperson said.
Last month, the two formerly allied forces showed interest in dialogue for misunderstanding between them to be settled.
Dr Paul Achot Achobek, the head of the Agwelek delegation in Juba, told the City Review that Johnson Oloyn had accepted President Kiir’s call for him to come back to Juba and participate in the peace process.
“Yes, he has accepted the President’s call. He was supposed to be in Juba many months ago, but the delay was from the government, “he stated.
In September 2022, the death toll of people killed in the Adhidhiang IDP camp had risen to 17 following clashes between the Agwelek forces of Johnson Olony and the Kitgwang forces of Simon Gatwech.
Gatwech and Olony signed Khartoum Peace Agreement with the government on January 16, 2022, for their integration into SSPDF. But the two forces had been complaining of the snail pace of the agreement.
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