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JUBA - 25 Apr 2016

South Sudan opposition's top general returns to Juba

SPLA-IO Chief of Staff Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual has arrived to Juba on Monday afternoon on a charter aircraft from Gambella, which is in western Ethiopia near to the rebel headquarters at Pagak.

The chartered Tarco Air plane brought also 195 soldiers together with 20 PKMs and 20 RPGs, which were seen being offloaded from the plane. These weapons were agreed by the government and opposition in a plan last week for the arrival of SPLM-IO Chairman Riek Machar.

Gatwech told press at the airport that he was happy to be back home to Juba and that his coming was part of implementing the peace agreement and there was no going back to war.

"What I know, there’s only one nation, one people and one president," said the SPLA-IO chief of staff.

He then departed from the airport toward the Jebel area of the city where he is expected to be accommodated.

He was received on behalf of the government by Akol Paul, War Disabled, War Widows and War Orphans Commission. Chairperman Deng Dau Deng and Gen. Marial Chanuong of the presidential guard. The SPLM-IO Advance Team leader Taban Deng was also present to receive him.