SPLM-IO’s embattled nominee for Upper Nile state’s governorship has vigorously denied accusations of warmongering, affirming that he is part of the peace deal.

Upper Nile was the only state left without a governor when South Sudanese President Salva Kiir appointed state governors in late June, as part of power-sharing arrangements.

Riek Machar’s party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), was allocated three states, including Upper Nile state, where the appointment of a governor is still pending.

The SPLM-IO group said it submitted the name of General Johnson Olony as its preferred candidate for the post. But the president declined to appoint him.

President Kiir’s office described General Johnson Olony as a 'warmonger'.

“I am not a warmonger. I am not aware of the war the president has been talking about. Among my forces, there are soldiers from all the tribes of South Sudan, so I don’t fight my fellow South Sudanese," General Johnson Olony said in an exclusive interview with Radio Tamazuj on Saturday. "If there is a war with another country, I can assure him [Kiir] that I will support them."

Olony, who is a senior commander in the military wing of the SPLM-IO led by First Vice President Riek Machar, said he would only return to the capital Juba once he is appointed as governor of Upper Nile state.

“My chairman Dr Riek has recently sent a delegation to talk to me so that I go to Juba. But I told them that I don’t want to go to Juba because I haven’t yet been appointed as governor. Also, Salva talked to me and asked me to come to Juba, but I put a condition that I would only return to Juba once I am appointed,” he said.

The senior commander said he welcomes ongoing talk suggesting that he could be replaced with another nominee for Upper Nile state’s governorship to break the deadlock. “If another nominee is appointed by Salva or recommended by Riek, I have no problem. I didn’t take up arms to be a governor. I fought for this country so that we become independent from Sudan,” he said.

He added,” I will not fight because I am not appointed as governor of Upper Nile. I can continue serving in my current capacity because what we want is peace.”

The SPLA-IO General denied claims that his forces are not part of the security arrangements under the 2018 peace agreement, saying thousands of his forces are currently in cantonment sites across Upper Nile.

General Olony has urged South Sudanese to shun division and hatred, saying conflicts among communities should be resolved amicably for the sake of the country.

“Conflicts among our communities were caused by politics. So, people should forgive each other because we are one people. My message to the people of Upper Nile is that peace has come, so we have to come together,” he concluded.