A move for covering his back perhaps. Assange might face serious crime convictions. Quotes like "I tried again and again to push for that, but Julian Assange reacted to any criticism with the allegation that I was disobedient to him and unloyal to the project." make me think that he is trying to refuse any responsibility for what happened.
"Spiegel report Schmitt resigned which is misleading. Schmitt was suspended a month ago."
https://twitter.com/wikileaks/statuses/25487043751