A Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) military officer, Brigadier General Kennedy Ongie, has confirmed that he and some of his forces have joined the National Salvation Front (NAS) under Thomas Cirillo.
The leadership of NAS, in a press statement extended to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, said the Section 9 commander of Tafeng Division of the SPLA-IO in Eastern Equatoria State, Brigadier General Kennedy Ongie Odong, on Saturday 5th December 2020 announced that he, some of his colleagues, and a number of forces under his command have decided to join the National Salvation Front (NAS).
Brig. Gen. Kennedy Ongie Odong confirmed to Radio Tamazuj this afternoon that he had indeed joined NAS to pursue “the agenda of peace and reforms in South Sudan.”
He accused the SPLA-IO of corruption and working for their self-interest.
“If anyone takes a decision there must be a reason, the declaration was on the 5th December 2020. I was in Tafeng Division, Sector 9, after that I came and joined NAS because of the existing corruption,” Gen. Ongie said.
“Peace should start from where you are, it must start from home. Now I am in Eastern Equatoria State, so it means there will be peace but the problem will be if someone comes and attacks you in your place,” he added.
Gen. Ongie said everyone takes individual decisions to leave one party for another, “we are not working for self-interest, we are sacrificing for the population and future generations and we want development, not destruction.”
“What we are saying is that people should follow peace, everyone should be in his or her home in peace. It will start from home and go out,” Ongie said. “Peace brings development and if we live against the constitution that guides us, that is a problem but NGOs should move freely, everyone and foreigners should move freely and development be encouraged. We need a better future for our children, not for us.”
In a press statement, NAS spokesperson Suba Samuel Manase said their leadership warmly welcomed the defecting forces into the opposition movement’s rank and file.
SPLA-IO officials in the area could not immediately be reached for comment.