At least 307 soldiers from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO), which First Vice President Riek Machar leads, have defected to the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in Juba.
The group comprises 259 SPLA-IO National Security Service officers from Western Equatoria State and 48 soldiers from Central Equatoria State.
Speaking at a reception ceremony at the National Security Service’s Internal Security Bureau Headquarters in Juba on Tuesday, Brig. Gen. Justin Mark, the commander of the defecting SPLA-IO National Security Services officers from Tambura and Nagero training centers in Western Equatoria, said the desire for lasting peace in the country drove their defection.
“We, the undersigned 259 officers, non-commissioned officers and personnel of the National Security Services under the SPLA-IO in Sector 6, Division 9B, Brigade 4, from Tambura and Nagero or Gut-Makur Training Center, Western Equatoria State, hereby officially declare our allegiance to the National Security Service under the leadership of President Salva Kiir,” he explained. “This decision stems from our collective desire for lasting peace, reconciliation, and development in our community and the country. We affirm our unwavering commitment to the Republic of South Sudan and to the leadership of his excellency in fostering a unified and prosperous nation.”
For his part, Brig. Gen. John Lubari Yakobo, the commander of the 48 defectors from Wunlet Training Center in Central Equatoria State, said their defection aimed at giving peace a chance to end the suffering of civilians.
“We have suffered so much in the bush and because of this suffering, we remembered the words of our President Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit of no return to war and the suffering of the civilians, especially the civilians in Terekeka County, they are suffering a lot and this is why we have decided to join the peace,” Lubari said.
Meanwhile, David John Kumuri, the spokesperson of the National Security Services (NSS) Internal Security Bureau, welcomed the defectors, assuring them of safety.
Kumuri reaffirmed the government’s commitment to integrating all armed forces under a single national military structure.
“The National Security Service welcomes the decision taken by the commanders and reiterates that the safety and security of their forces is guaranteed, as well as swift integration into SSPDF and other regular forces of the South Sudan government,” said Kumuri.
He called on all regular forces to accord necessary assistance to forces of holdout groups seeking peaceful access to government garrisons.