Machar backs away from claim to loyalty of 'independent' Shilluk forces

The Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by Riek Machar has backed down from claims that it made over the weekend to command the loyalty of Shilluk commander General Johnson Olony, saying now instead that Olony's interests simply 'coincide' with those of the SPLM-IO.

Olony, a commander formerly allied to the government army (SPLA-Juba), clashed with SPLA-Juba since Friday evening but he did not declare that he joined Machar's movement.

Earlier clashes between Olony's troops and bodyguards of the Upper Nile governor in late April had already raised tensions in the state capital Malakal.

The most recent fighting prompted SPLM-IO officials to declare that Olony had defected to their side.

Machar's spokesman James Gatdet stated on Saturday, “Our forces under the overall command of General Johnson Olony recaptured Upper Nile state’s capital, Malakal, on Saturday from pro-Salva Kiir’s forces. We are now in full control of the town and its surroundings.”

Similarly, SPLM-IO deputy spokesman Manawa Gatkuoth yesterday told Radio Tamazuj that Olony is the commander of SPLA-IO forces in Upper Nile State. South Sudan's government spokesman Michael Makuei claimed that Olony's forces asssisted rebel SPLA-IO forces to attack Malakal.

Additionally, IGAD ceasefire monitors reported cooperation between Olony's forces and SPLM-IO stating, “Shilluk militia forces of General Johnson Olony joined by forces from the SPLM/ SPLA-IO attacked against Government forces in and around Malakal.”

However, the chairman of SPLM-IO's public relations committee Mabior Garang yesterday issued a statement denying that Olony has joined the rebel movement, while confirming that Olony is nonetheless still opposing the government.

“Allegations made by the Salva Kiir Administration that Gen. Olony has joined the SPLM/SPLA and are together collaborating with Khartoum are baseless and tantamount to negative propaganda,” Mabior wrote.

“The SPLM/SPLA [IO] does not have a monopoly on opposing the Salva Kiir Administration... the fact that Gen. Olony is currently opposed to the Salva Kiir Administration means that his interests and those of the SPLM/SPLA [IO] currently coincide,” he stated.

For his part, Johnson Olony has not himself openly declared his defection in the media. However, a statement issued yesterday purportedly on his behalf by a spokesman for his 'Agwelek Forces', Nyagwal Ajak Deng, says that Olony has not joined Riek Machar's movement and instead will operate independently.

“Agwelek forces under command of Gen J. Olony and other senior officers will operate as independent forces in Upper Nile State but we will be ready to work together with other opposition forces fighting tribal government of Salva Kiir for change for better South Sudan free of tribal hatred [and] ethnic cleansing,” reads the statement.

It further alleges that government forces and allied ethnic militias were responsible for instigating the latest violence. The statement says that General Olony was prepared to come to Juba to answer a summons given by General Salva Kiir, but that the government forces attacked him before he could answer the summons.

Efforts by Radio Tamazuj to reach General Olony by phone yesterday were not successful.

File photo: SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar (left) and President Salva Kiir (right)