JUBA, South Sudan, Jan. 28, 2023 — South Sudanese opposition leader General Dickson Gatluak Jock Nyuot has withdrawn from a peace initiative with President Salva Kiir’s government, citing a lack of commitment from the administration to previously agreed terms. Gatluak, who leads the South Sudan United Front (SSUF) Nairobi Declaration faction, made the announcement following discussions in Nairobi, Kenya, on Jan. 28, 2023.
Gatluak, who split from the South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A) last year, criticized the government’s attempts to pressure him into joining the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). He accused the SPLM of corruption and straying from its founding principles. He also claimed that government security agencies had imposed travel restrictions on him, further complicating the negotiations.
While reiterating his commitment to peace, Gatluak warned of potential retaliation if the government resorts to aggression, emphasizing the need for honest dialogue to achieve lasting peace in South Sudan.
