The SPLM-IO faction allied to the incumbent First Vice President Taban Deng Gai has expressed regret at the resignation of its leading member, Khamis Abdullatif Chawul from its rank.

Gen. Khamis Abdullatif Chawul, who remained in Juba with Taban Deng’s SPLM-IO faction after fighting resumed in July last year, resigned from the group on Sunday and defected to President Salva Kiir.

“We regret the resignation of Gen. Khamis Abdullatif Chawul from the SPLM-IO,”partly reads a statement seen by Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday.

 In the statement, which bears the name of Dhieu Mathok, the Secretary General of the SPLM-IO faction loyal to Taban Deng, described Khamis as a committed member of his group.

However, Dhieu said Khamis has the right to decide on the current political matters facing the country as long as such decisions do not incite violence.

“Gen. Khamis was a committed member of the SPLM/SPLA-IO. However, as a politician, he has the right to decide on the current political matters facing the country as long as his actions do not involve violence,” reads the statement.

Dhieu, who is also serving as National Minister of Dams and Electricity, said his group prioritizes implementation of the signed peace agreement, while stressing the peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict in the country.

He further stated that the main strategy of the SPLM-IO faction under the leadership of the First Vice President Taban Deng is to work closely with President Kiir and the entire leadership of the SPLM in government to implement the signed peace agreement so as to bring peace and stability to the country.

In 2014, Gen. Khamis Abdullatif Chawul defected to the armed opposition group led by rebel leader Riek Machar and left his position as state-media director. Machar appointed him as military governor of Lakes State before the 2015 peace deal.

Photo: SPLM-IO group endorses Taban Deng as first vice president at Crown Hotel in Juba in July, 2016/Radio Tamazuj.