The advance team of the rebel group SPLA-IO Kit-Gwang, led by Gen. Simon Gatwech, is set to arrive in Juba today following a peace deal signed with the South Sudanese government in Port Sudan, the wartime capital of Sudan.
In a surprise move, Gen. Simon Gatwech signed the agreement on Sunday. The Sudanese military government played a key role in facilitating the talks between South Sudan’s warring factions.
“I am pleased to announce that my advance team has already left and will arrive in Juba today. The team is led by Gatluak Pow Kuenywar and Wuor Pouk,” Gen. Gatwech said in an exclusive interview with Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday.
He went on to confirm the details of the new agreement, stating: “I signed the peace deal with the government of South Sudan on February 2, 2025. Both sides have agreed to make peace so that South Sudan can achieve stability and peace.”
Gen. Gatwech explained that part of the agreement involves his forces being trained and integrated into the South Sudanese army and other organized forces. Additionally, his rebel group will have representation in the government.
“The specific positions allocated to us will be announced later, likely after a month, following discussions with my political leadership,” he said. “We have secured numerous positions, but other details are still being finalized with President Salva Kiir, including matters related to parliament, states, and departments. Our immediate priority is the military and security sectors.”
When asked about his decision to rejoin the government after years of reluctance, Gen. Gatwech explained: “I have seen some positive changes in the Kiir government. There is growing stability in South Sudan, and we no longer want to see more people suffer or die.”
Regarding guarantees within the new peace agreement, Gen. Gatwech emphasized that his forces will be the cornerstone of his return to Juba and future collaboration with the government.
“My forces will undergo training and integration over the next three to four months. They will arrive in Juba before I return. Once the necessary arrangements are made, I will return to Juba. I cannot go without my forces,” he said.
“The exact number of forces to be deployed to Juba is still being finalized, but we expect them to complete their training within two months before being integrated. Our agreement with the government will be implemented within the next 12 months,” he added.
Tumaini Initiative
On the ongoing Tumaini Peace Talks, Gen. Gatwech explained his refusal to join the discussions, citing Kenya’s lack of neutrality and security as an obstacle. He also criticized the opposition groups involved in the talks, claiming they have little leverage in pushing for peace.
“Those involved in talks in Nairobi are briefcase groups with no forces or influence. They lack the capacity to rally even five people. Moreover, some of my people were secretly killed by the government in Kenya,” he stated.
The rebel leader, who fought the government in Upper Nile, denied reports suggesting that Sudanese authorities pressured him into signing the peace deal with South Sudan’s government.
“My message to the people of South Sudan is that I signed this agreement in the interest of peace, stability, and development. I am committed to working with Salva Kiir to resolve some of the challenges facing our country,” Gen. Gatwech concluded.
Who is Gen. Gatwech?
Gen. Gatwech was appointed Chief of Staff of the SPLA-IO in 2014, but he declined to go to Juba after the signing of the 2018 peace agreement unless the security arrangements were fully implemented.
In June 2021, Gen. Gatwech was relieved from his position and appointed by President Salva Kiir as a peace advisor for the presidency, an offer he turned down, saying he was not consulted and that it was an attempt to lure him to Juba.
In August 2021, Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual issued a communiqué following a meeting of SPLA-IO commanders in Kit-Gwang in Magenis, a northernmost town bordering Sudan, declaring that they had ousted Dr. Riek Machar as the leader of the SPLM/A-IO. In what has since come to be known as the Kit-Gwang Declaration, Gatwech declared himself the new leader and appointed Gen. Johnson Olony as his number two.
In January 2022, the SPLA-IO Kit-Gwang faction signed a peace agreement in Khartoum with the government. The Agwelek forces, led by Gen. Olony, also signed a separate agreement with the government at the same time. The Kit-Gwang faction, however, became disillusioned months after the peace deal and blamed the government for not implementing it.
Gatwech and Olony later fell out, with the former firing the latter, and their forces clashing several times. Olony would later say that he was for peace and willing to return to Juba.