Military officers and 222 other members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), led by First Vice-President Riek Machar, have defected to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and other government security services.
The defectors, from SPLM-IO Integrated Forces stationed in Gutmakur, Muni, Luri, Rejaf, and Rambur, were under the command of eight officers.
Captain Alison Lokule, the commander of the defecting forces, accused Dr Machar of “anti-peace intentions” and nepotism.
“We, the officers, NCOs, and the men officially return from the SPLM-IO rank and file, and declare our allegiance to SSPDF and other organized forces,” he said. “We are convinced beyond doubt that we are no longer members of SPLM-IO. That is because of the anti-peace intentions and nepotism practices of the SPLM-IO Chairman.”
He urged fellow soldiers to abandon Dr Machar and support peace efforts.
Colonel Joseph Amanda Alias, another defector, said the group—which included police, wildlife officers, National Security Service personnel, and prison service officers—had rejected further conflict.
“This has been put into our hearts because we graduated here and are under the command of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of South Sudan, Gen Salva Kiir Mayardit,” he said. “We denounce war; we need peace.”
David John Kumuri, spokesman for the National Security Service, confirmed the defection of 222 personnel under Col Alias’s command.
“The National Security Service is contented to inform the public that it has received forces allied to SPLA-IO under Dr Riek Machar, after their defection to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and other organized forces,” he said.
“Following the recent clashes between SPLA-IO and its allied forces, including the White Army and SSPDF, the commanders of the splinter group denounced plunging the country back to civil war and hence signed an official detachment and allegiance document, declaring their defection to SSPDF and other organized forces.”
SPLA-IO Spokesperson Col. Lam Paul Gabriel could not immediately be reached for comment.