Two South Sudanese politicians have rejoined the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).
Ngor Akec Makuac, the former chairperson of the Democratic Change (SPLM-DC), said he returned to the SPLM not to look for position, but work towards implementing the peace deal.
“I did not come to look for any position, but to join hands together as South Sudanese to implement peace in our country. Many people who defected from the government are coming,” said Makuac at a press conference in Juba on Tuesday.
He added, “I never took a gun to threaten or kill any citizen of South Sudan because this is our nation for which we fought for liberation”.
Separately, Lawis Anei Madut Kuendit announced the dissolution of his Republican Party and urged its members to join the ruling party.
“I am here to announce the dissolution of the Republican Party of South Sudan. I am also here to announce my re-joining the mother party [SPLM]. I and my comrades that were with me in the Republican Party will hear it from today that their party, the Republican Party of South Sudan has been dissolved,” he said in a statement.
Madut said he had joined South Sudan United Front (SSUF), an armed opposition group led by General Paul Malong, but President Salva Kiir persuaded him to return.
“I came back in response to the call of the president because I do not want any blood to be shed because of me. I have come back to join the peace process, reconciliation and healing. I do not need anything from the government, but just to be a member of the SPLM. I urge my party members to join SPLM,” said Madut.
“I have joined SPLM without putting any condition whatsoever,” he added.
The SPLM secretary for information, Bol Makueng applauded the two politicians for re-joining the ruling party and ignoring their own interests.
“This is a serious commitment and sense of true unity to come back and re-join SPLM. You have shown true patriotism and love to the people of South Sudan. We need to be united and work together unconditionally without putting personal interests first,” said Makueng.
He added, “The sovereignty of the country is under threat. If they see us uniting, they will have no room to loot our resources so let us not allow ourselves to be divided”.
The senior SPLM official urged all opposition leaders and those in the bush to denounce violence and work towards building the nation.