The military spokesman of South Sudan's rebel group SPLM-IO has stepped down. He is also charged with "desertion" by the rebel group and is accused of having made contacts with the rival SPLM-Juba faction.

Lul in a declaration explaining his "breaking away" from SPLM-IO accused opposition chief Riek Machar of prolonging the war in order to gain power. He went on to say that the civil war was caused by an "attempted coup" -- a claim long denied by SPLM-IO but repeated by SPLM-Juba.

SPLM-IO responded to the declaration confirming that Lul Ruai "deserted" the movement, stressing that this is "an isolated incident that occurred in a Nairobi Hotel, and does not have any bearing on the military or political situation in the country," according to a statement by spokesman Mabior Garang.

In an interview, another SPLM-IO spokesman, Manawa Peter Gatkuoth, accused some SPLM-Juba officials of trying to lure Lul Ruai to their side.

“The SPLA-IO leadership has been monitoring Lul for over the last six months. So according to military intelligence reports Lul has been receiving calls from some SPLM-Juba officials.”

The spokesman and former Jonglei state minister of physical infrastructure added that the statement issued by Lul shows he has links with the Juba government, which is controlled by the SPLM-Juba faction.

Lul himself now claims to have formed a new political movement in Lou Nuer area in Jonglei state called the "South Sudan Resistance Movement/Army" with the stated aim to "work with peace loving people of South Sudan... in order to expedite the stalled peace process."

The ex-military spokesman announced also an immediate ceasefire and endorsed peace talks with the government, with a view to making the Lou Nuer area a separate state.

But the SPLM-IO spokesman Manawa Gatkuoth downplayed this, saying Lul Ruai defected alone and denying any knowledge of the formation of the new movement.

Lul claimed that the new movement has the allegiance of rebel commanders and 'White Army' youth leaders from Lou Nuer but Manawa said, "I can assure you that Lul has defected alone."

Manawa referred to SPLA-IO chief of staff Simon Gatwech Dual, who also hails from Lou Nuer area, as well as other rebel officials whom he affirmed remain loyal to SPLM-IO.

“The Akobo County Commissioner, Nyirol County Commissioner, Uror County Commissioner, Hussein Mar Nyuot, and Lou Nuer renowned lawyer Dong Samuel as well as all prominent Lou Nuer leaders are still with the SPLA-IO," Manawa mentioned.

'We wish him good luck in his political exploits'

Lul's declaration yesterday comes after a period of silence lasting nearly three weeks during which he released no press statements, following the publication of an investigative report about the military spokesman's background.

Radio Tamazuj reported on 31 January that Lul Ruai had "authored numerous statements on conflict events that later proved to be unreliable," including false claims that rebel forces and revolting citizens captured Yei and Renk, both of which still remain in government hands.

The investigative report also stated that Lul Ruai "has no record of frontline command experience and became a 'general' without ever having led men in battle."

His latest political move will not divert the attention of rebel negotiators in Arusha and Addis Ababa, according to SPLM-IO official Mabior Garang.

Mabior also stated that SPLM-IO does not wish ill of its defected spokesman, explaining that the rebel movement "recognizes the right of any member who does not share in the principles of the Movement, to set up their own political entity that will reflect the principles for which they stand."

"In this spirit the SPLM/SPLA would like to wish Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang good luck in his new political exploits," wrote Mabior.