Addis Ababa, April 11, 2015 (SSNA) — The Spokesperson for the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO), Col. Lony T. Ngundeng, has on Saturday congratulated the recently defected SPLA-Juba’s Brig. General, Gatwech Pouch Mar.
Mr. Mar, who deserted the government, joined the rebellion this week.
The SPLA-IO says General Mar defected with his junior officers and branded the move as a “significant step” to the right direction.
“Congratulations on our nationalist leader General Gatwech Puoch; today the office for spokesperson for SPLA-IO would like to register its thanks for the significant step that has been taken by our incoming general. His brilliant decision to join the movement with his junior officers is of extra high importance to us,” a statement released by the SPLA-IO Spokesman office said.
Col. Lony said his office is not surprised to see Gatwech joining the rebel forces, saying the General cannot tolerate the suffering of his people under Kiir’s government.
“General Gatwech who was transferred to Division 5 in Bahr el Ghazal where he served for few months being one of South Sudanese patriotic leaders, thereafter, he could not tolerate the suffering of our people therefore today it is not a surprise for the movement SPLM/A/IO to declare himself so we receive him wholeheartedly,” the statement added.
Brig. General Gatwech Puoch Mar is a brother of current Governor of Upper Nile State, Kun Puoch Mar.