One of the defectors, Paul Bier, explained why he gave had refused to fight: “I refused this crisis because I have some children at school in Upper Nile state Malakal. Government officials’ children are outside the country in London and this crisis will affect our children – that is why I refused.”
“What is the problem between Dinka and Nuer? And we have many tribes in South Sudan, due to these reasons I came from Mundri and I have told my colleaugues on the road that I will reach to Juba.”
Another solder who surrendered, Matip Gai Koang, described his ordeal in the bush. “We came from Mundri, the incident started there from our top officials, our leaders, and they went with all the soldiers and a few of us remained behind.”
“We have 18 days in the bush – no road, no food. We requested for food from the civilians. Before yesterday we sent two of us to get food. We found ourselves in Luri. We came four of us with our guns,” he said.
Reporting by Eye Radio
File photo
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