A group of Mathiang Anyoor militia from Northern Bahr al Ghazal who had been loyal to SPLA Chief of General Staff Paul Malong have deserted and announced their loyalty to an opposition commander from the same state.

Tens of thousands of citizens of the Northern Bahr al Ghazal area have been migrating north into East Darfur and West Kordofan due to hunger and lack of opportunities in their home state, including many young men who had been civil servants or soldiers.

In an interview with Radio Tamazuj, Capt. Martin Malek announced his defection from the militia known as Mathiang Anyoor together with another 85 soldiers. He did not provide their exact location. 

He said that they were armed and hungry. He said the failure of the government to feed them over the last seven months had contributed to their decision to defect, pointing out that their children had fled to Sudan.

“We were hungry, have no money and carrying guns and our children fled to the north. We are unable to find them. We are 85 soldiers from Mathiang Anyor. Anyone from our people who are suffering in Aweil or Warrap let them join us,” said Malek.

He added that they decided to join the armed opposition led by Abdulbagi Ayii to fight the government of South Sudan. Meanwhile, Col. Deng Mareng, a member of the armed opposition led by Abdulbagi Ayii confirmed the defection of capt. Martin and others last Saturday.

File photo: Troops from South Sudan's official army, the SPLA

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