Military officers who originally were loyal to South Sudan opposition leader Riek switched sides to join the opposition group led by Costello Garang in Northern Bahr al Ghazal region.

Brigadier General Zachariah Majok Ajing told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that he and other officers defected from Riek Machar and joined the group led by Costello Garang in Northern Bahr al Ghazal region.

For his part, Brig. Gen. Martin Malay, commander of the South Sudan Patriotic Movement led by Costello Garang confirmed the military officers joined them in Northern Bahr al Ghazal region.