Lou Nuer community leaders in East Africa have slammed the defection of Lul Ruai Koang from the SPLM-IO describing his move as an individual one which will not affect the Lou Nuer communities at large, either in South Sudan or the diaspora.

The former South Sudanese rebel military spokesman on Wednesday declared his defection from the armed group led by the country's former vice president Riek Machar, SPLM-IO, which controls the Lou Nuer territory in Jonglei State.

Lul initially announced the formation of his own movement, claiming loyalty of Lou Nuer youths and commanders, but immediately the next day he took a flight to Juba, the headquarters of the ruling SPLM-Juba faction. Lou Nuer leaders reacted to this development in interviews on Friday.

Juma Wechthuor Both, the Lou Nuer chairman in Uganda, described Lul's defection as a betrayal of the Lul Nuer for the sake of personal interest.

"We as greater Akobo community would like to denounce the claims by Brigadier Gen. Lul Ruai Koang that his defection has connection with Lou Nuer at large," added Both.

Gai Yul Riam, the secretary general for Lou Nuer communities in Kampala told Radio Tamazuj that Lul's defection was an individual interest, doubting that he acted on the part of any community.

"We could only refer to the defected generals claims as rubbish. It has done no harm neither he had support from the entire communities," added Riam.

Meanwhile, members of the Lou Nuer in Kenya have also downplayed the rebel spokesman's defection referring to his claims as aimed at personal gain.

Deng Gai Gatluak, a member of Lou Nuer living in Kenya has accused the former rebel spokesman of abandoning his position, dismissing his claims of being supported by Lou Nuer.

"We want to assure the general public that his propaganda is not true and does not reflect our support either diaspora or in greater Lou Nuer land. His defection is pure personal and it does not hold any communal support," added Gatluak.

Likewise, a number of Lou Nuer elders including Nhial Hoth Gatkuoth, Ter Yuek Gai and Jal Bol Koang in Kampala said that Lul's quitting the SPLM-IO has no effect on either the community or the rebel movement.

Meanwhile, a source close to the rebel leader Riek Machar who spoke on condition of anonymity explained that Lul had had differences with Machar over his demand to

force dismissal of the group's information committee chairman Mabior Garang.

This led to tensions with the SPLM-IO chairman prior to Lul's decision to step down as military spokesman and leave the movement.

Another SPLM-IO source said commanders on the ground were still loyal and were not willing to join Lul Ruai.

In another development last month, Radio Tamazuj disclosed in an investigative report that Lul had attained the rank of brigadier-general without ever having led men in battle.

File photo: Lul Ruai Koang