A commander of the rebel outfit National Salvation Front (NAS), Brigadier General Hillary Edson T. Yakani, and 300 of the fighters under his command on Monday declared that they have defected to the government, saying they will pursue peace through dialogue.
Gen. Yakani said they embraced President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s amnesty for armed groups. He said taking power through force is unconstitutional and unacceptable.
Yakani added that South Sudanese have suffered enough from years of conflict, which has resulted in loss of lives, destruction of property, and mass displacement.
“We chose to abandon war because violence is not a solution and will never solve our problems as South Sudanese,” he said.
The former rebel commander appealed to other holdout armed groups, particularly those operating in Central Equatoria State, to accept the presidential amnesty and return home.
He condemned attacks against civilians, including looting, rape, extrajudicial killings, robbery, and the burning of civilian vehicles along roads. He further urged political actors outside the country to return and pursue their political objectives through peaceful and democratic means as South Sudan prepares for general elections scheduled for December 2026.
Yakani specifically appealed to NAS leader General Thomas Cirilo to consider dialogue as a way of restoring peace and security in the country.
Meanwhile, National Security Service Spokesperson David John Kumuri said they have already received 110 of the 300 defectors.
“The forces received are 300 in number, and 110, including 10 senior NAS commanders, have already arrived. You have witnessed it, and it is in line with the presidential directives for peace and national reconciliation,” he said. “The group, during the reception, reasoned that the decision to denounce the NAS and the wider opposition group was exclusively acted upon by their camp after weighing the mission and vision of the National Salvation Front Army.”
“They contend that the National Salvation Front does not exhibit a vibrant and defined agenda for continued destabilization of the people of South Sudan through constant wars and destruction,” Kumuri added.
The group thanked President Kiir and members of the security forces for facilitating what it described as a peaceful return.
Yakani’s return comes several years after he left government forces and joined NAS. He was reported to have defected from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces to NAS in September 2022.
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