South Sudan’s government has welcomed former SPLA-IO commander James Ochan Puot’s defection from opposition leader Riek Machar.

The army general, who was deputy commander of the SPLA-IO’s division 5, announced last week that he had defected together with other military officers from Machar to join President Salva Kiir.

The defection came after fighting between SPLA-IO troops and members of the Cie-waw community in 'Adar State', located in what is otherwise known as Maiwut State.

“The government welcomes that of course, the government is not for anything else other than peace,” Information Minister Michael Makuei said in a statement to state media on Wednesday.

Makuei welcomed what he called the positive response from the splinter group led by Major General James Ochan Puot to join the peace process, saying the government will work together with the new group for the sake of peace in the country.

“They have also decided to rename their state from Adar to Maiwut State,” Makuei said.

According to Minister Makuei, the breakaway group’s declaration enjoys the support of the local community in Maiwut State.

For its part, the opposition group led by Riek Machar, SPLM-IO told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday that following the defection of Major General James Ochan Puot, the government started deploying its forces to civilian centers within the opposition-held areas.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, Pouk Both Baluang, the SPLM-IO's director for information said the government deployed its forces to Maiwut, Jotome and Wiechluak Jaak areas. 

Pouk also claimed the army has also deployed new armored personnel carriers to Nasir and Bentiu areas. “They have also been reinforcing their forces in various fronts with weapons and ammunition,” Pouk said.

The opposition official called upon the government to withdraw its forces from civilian centers in Maiwut area, while appealing to peace monitors to immediately investigate the move.

Meanwhile, the SPLM-IO reiterated its full commitment to the implementation of peace deal, saying it is the only way to attain lasting peace in South Sudan.

President Salva Kiir, opposition leader Riek Machar and other opposition groups, entered into a peace deal last September. Kiir and Machar agreed this month to accelerate the agreement prior to the formation of the transitional government on November 12.