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JUBA - 31 Aug 2018

SSUM defectors arrive in Juba

File photo: SPLA army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang
File photo: SPLA army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang

A breakaway group of the South Sudan United Movement /Army (SSUM/A) has arrived in the capital Juba this morning after abandoning rebellion.

SPLA spokesman Lul Ruai Koang told reporters at Juba international airport that a group of 22 soldiers defected from General Peter Gatdet and returned to Juba this morning.

“If you could recall, about 10 days ago, there was a major move by Major General William Weithiang. He defected from Peter Gatdet and came to Juba,” Lul said.

“Today we have come to receive a new group of SSUM/A.... One my left is Brigadier General Gatkuoth Mut Turoah who is the spokesperson for Peter Gatdet’s movement,” he added.

Koang further said the group decided to join the former deputy commander of the SSUM/A group William Weithiang who returned to the government recently.

The army spokesman commended the new defectors for joining the government in response to the general amnesty declared by President Salva Kiir.

For his part, the former spokesperson for the SSUM/A group, Brig. Gen. Gatkuoth Mut Turoah said they returned to Juba in response to the general amnesty declared by President Kiir.

“We are following our chairman William Weithiang who was deputy chairman of SSUM/A led by General Peter Gatdet,” he said.