Senior SSUF defector returns to Juba

SSUF member Omar Ishag speaks to reporters at Juba Airport on 19 August, 2019 (Photo: Radio Tamazuj)

A former information minister in South Sudan’s Lol State broke away from General Paul Malong’s rebel movement and returned to Juba Monday.

A former information minister in South Sudan’s Lol State broke away from General Paul Malong's rebel movement and returned to Juba Monday.

Omar Ishag Mohammed joined the South Sudan United Front (SSUF) led by former military chief, Paul Malong Awan in May 2018.

"We are happy to be back, and I would like to thank President Salva Kiir and colleagues in the SPLM," Ishaq told reporters when he arrived at Juba International Airport from Khartoum.

"I have come to Juba together with Thomas Lino, who is the SSUF’s secretary for training. Also, SSUF commander General Salah Khamis is with us,” he added.

The former rebel official pointed out that their decision to defect from Malong’s movement came after protracted talks with the ruling SPLM party. “We want to be part of peace and stability in South Sudan,” he said.

Omar claimed that more members of the SSUF group will return to Juba soon.

The defector was met at the airport in Juba by SPLM officials.

Santino Malek, the ruling SPLM party’s acting secretary for political affairs urged holdout opposition groups to return home to help form a government of national unity.

“The SPLM party is committed to the peace agreement and we have political will to bring back those who are against the government,” Malek said.

President Salva Kiir, opposition leader Riek Machar and a handful of other opposition groups signed a peace deal in September 2018.

Several armed groups, including those led by former military chief Paul Malong and General Thomas Cirillo are not part of the revitalized peace deal. A new government is expected to be formed in November 2019.