Three high-ranking generals from Dr. Riek Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) have defected to the Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the SPLM party led by President Salva Kiir.
The defection, which involved over 200 soldiers, marks a significant shift in the everchanging political landscape of Unity State.
Lt. Gen. Simon Maguek Gai, formerly the SPLA-IO Sector 2 commander in Unity State, told Radio Tamazuj that the defectors were received by SPLM Party Secretary General Peter Lam Both on Saturday at the Unity State coordination office in Juba. The high-profile event was also attended by Unity State Governor and state SPLM Chairperson, Dr. Joseph Manytuil Wejang.
Among the prominent figures from the SPLM party who witnessed the event were the Ruweng Administrative Area Chief Administrator Stefano Wieu Maliek, who also serves as the SPLM chairperson of Ruweng, and Jacob Akech Dengdit, who is the SPLM chairperson in and deputy governor of Jonglei State.
Various SPLM national secretaries and officials were also present.
The decision to defect was fuelled by Lt. Gen. Simon Maguek’s accusations against Dr. Riek Machar, the leader of the main opposition political party, SPLM-IO alleging that the latter is dictatorial, favors his family in political appointments, and has politically and militarily marginalized senior SPLM/A-IO figures.
“Dr. Riek has the character of not being liberal. He does not accept the opinions of others except his wife. He fears the truth and dislikes you more when you try to correct his opinion,” Gen. Maguek charged. “He can give you powers and leave you to do whatever you wish to do with them. He cannot follow you up, nor does he evaluate your actions.”
The disaffected general emphasized that Dr. Machar had turned the SPLM/A-IO into a family affair to enrich himself.
Expressing gratitude at being warmly welcomed, Gen. Maguek praised the SPLM party under the leadership of President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
Meanwhile, Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, the SSPDF spokesperson, confirmed and welcomed the defection.
“We welcome Lt. Gen. Simon Maguek Gai and his 200-strong force which included two Major Generals, a Brigadier General, and a Colonel,” he said curtly.
For his part, in response to the defection, SPLA-IO Spokesperson Col. Lam Pual Gabriel acknowledged the defection and reception of Gen. Maguek by the SPLM party in Juba but deemed it a violation of the 2018 peace agreement.
“We are aware of the defection of Lt. Gen. Simon Maguek Gai who defected from our camp and joined Kiir’s camp last Saturday,” he said. “It is a violation of the peace agreement that was signed in 2018.”
Col. Lam emphasized that Gen. Maguek’s defection had not weakened the SPLA-IO’s resolve to pursue its goals and objectives.