A senior rebel general loyal to former First Vice President Riek Machar in Panyijiar County in South Sudan’s Unity state has defected and joined the SPLA-IO faction allied to the incumbent First Vice President Taban Deng Gai.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj yesterday, Brig. Gen. John Goarguen Gai said that he defected together with about 172 soldiers and joined Taban Deng.

He pointed out that his troops left Panyijiar and arrived in Mayendit County. “I decided to join Taban Deng because he is a man of peace, our people are suffering and they need peace,” said Gai.

Forces in South Sudan (Credit: BBC)