April 19, 2016 (SSB) — President Salva Kiir’s administration should understand that the number of the SPLA-IO’s forces required to be deployed in Juba is 2,910 in total, and not the initial 1,370 only.
They should not therefore object to the transportation from Pagak via Gambella by air of additional troops or bodyguards of both the South Sudan’s First Vice President, Chairman and C-in-C of SPLM/SPLA (IO), Dr. Riek Machar, and the Chief of General Staff, 1st Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual. Even if their number reached 1,500, it would have been still in compliance with the required SPLA-IO troops in Juba per the security arrangements…
The government should therefore stop wasting time and give landing permit (clearance) for the plane which will carry the Chief of General Staff, the bodyguards and their weapons…unless the administration is not committed to peace…
Hence, the argument in Juba that the SPLA-IO should not bring in more soldiers or weapons is a misguided complaint...even if we were to bring in to Juba the types of weapons they also possess inside and around the national capital.
James Gatdet Dak
Official Spokesperson
Office of the Chairman and C-in-C