An MP in Eastern Equatoria State has defected from the government and joined the rebellion, rebels said on Tuesday.

SPLA-IO deputy military spokesman Lam Paul Gabriel said in a statement that Abdalla Angelo Lochono joined the opposition led by former First Vice President Riek Machar on Saturday.

Abdalla Angelo, according to the statement on Tuesday, was an MP representing Kapoeta East in Eastern Equatoria state before it was divided into Imotong and Kapoeta through presidential establishment order in October 2015.

The opposition also claimed Marko Lojore who was a government soldier deployed in Kapoeta defected to their side.

Lam pointed out that the two defectors were welcomed by the SPLA-IO Sector 9 commander Lt. Gen. Justin Akudo.