BREAKING NEWS: Lt. Gen. Gen Gordon Koang Chol Defects

April 7th, 2019(SSNN) ā€” A South Sudanese Anyanya two veteran, Lt. Gen. Gordon Koang Chuol Kulang, defects and forms his own rebel movement.

According to the latest press release, Lt. Gen. Koang Chol, the former Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Democratic Party’s military wing, the South Sudan Armed Forces(SSAF), has tendered in his defection letter to Hon. Gabriel Changson, the Chairman of that party and declare a new movement that is yet to be organized.

Lt. Gen. Gordon Koang Chuol Kulang, former Commander-in-Chief of South Sudan Armed Forces(Photo credit: SSNN)

Lt. Gen. Gordon Koang Chuol Kulang, former Commander-in-Chief of South Sudan Armed Forces(Photo credit: SSNN)

According to his declaration, Lt. Gen. Koang Chuol stated seven reasons for his defection.

He believes that as a commander in Chief, he has been neglected by Hon. Changson since the Peace Agreement was signed in September last year.

Gen. Koang accused Hon. Changson of recruiting and forming an army without his consent, a leaf that he[Changson] might have borrowed from President Salva Kiir who is prone to form private militias without consents of his Chiefs of General Staff.

“I am commander in Chief but your prepare your army without my advise” Lt. Gen. Koang clearly states in his own word.

“Hon. Gabriel Changson you transfer military importance to party [without my consent]” he added.

Hon. Gabriel Changson has been in leadership crises since he defected from the SPLM/A(IO) in 2015. He felt out with his fellow Nuer elders and military generals including Gen. Peter Gatdet, Gen. Gathoth Gatkuoth, Hon. Mariou Dhuor, Hon. Tot Chol and Hon. Gabriel Yoal Dok, who defected from the SPLM/A[IO] IN 2015.

Recently Hon. Gabriel Changson has been involved in leadership struggle with Dr. Lam Akol and Gen. Peter Gatdet over who should lead a weak coalition known as the South Sudan Opposition Alliance(SSOA).

While falling out with Dr. Lam Akol over SSOA leadership, Hon. Changson lured Dr. Abdel Salam, who is a relative of Dr. Lam into his military ranks and appointed him his Commander-in-Chief, something that has angered Lt. Gen. Gordon Koang Chuol Kulang and now forced him to defect.

“You appointed Dr. Abdel Salam as your Commander-in-Chief without consulting me and the whole military leadership” Lt. Gen. Gordon Koang said.

“You also appoint the leaders of military in cantonments without informing me” He continued.

Despise his defection, the Anyanya veteran pledged to organize his rebel movement and continue to be part of the R-ARCISS peace implementation.

Speaking on behalf of Lt. Gen. Gordon Koang, the former Spokesman of Hon. Changson’s party, Mr. Deng Vanang declares his defection and said the new rebel movement will soon release its policy statement that will outlines its manifesto and principles.

“While the media and general public go through this eye opening public declaration of intent, in a matter of next few days the new groupā€™s members will organize a conference.” Said Deng Vanang, former Secretary of Information of the FDP/SSAF.

“In the soon to be convened conference, like minded members will democratically deliberate on a number of political items and later release a ā€˜ā€™policy statement.ā€™ā€™ Vanang continued.

According to Deng Vanang, “in the policy statement, the name and political agenda of the group shall be clearly outlined. The manner in which the new group shall remain in pursuit of peaceful settlement of five year-old conflict is to be clearly stated as well.

“Another point to be thoroughly discussed is how the new faction will relate with other political and military forces towards ending the same conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.” Vanang continued.

Mr. Deng Vanang calls on all members of FDP/SSAF, who are not decided, to make their decision very soon

“As we head to the said conference, still undecided members of FDP/SSAF and other interested members of the public are cordially and urgently requested to make up their minds and join the group, adding that Deng Vanang is the member of the new group.” Said Deng Vanang.

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