A group of youth from Apadang and Twic East areas said they have joined the insurgency against the South Sudanese government and called for support for former first vice president turned rebel leader, Riek Machar.

The defectors include Thon Lual, who claims to be one of the Apadang elders from Pigi County and Daniel Manyok who also claimed to be one of the elders of Twic East County in Jonglei State.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday, the defectors from Apadang and Twic communities claimed that their number could reach 370 people.

The group accused the government of causing suffering to the people of South Sudan and making the Dinka tribe targets of revenge.

“We don’t have guns right now. But we have decided to defect from the government and join our people from the other tribes so that we rescue them,” said Thon Lual.

Thon pointed out that their plan was to unite the 64 tribes of South Sudan to bring peace and stability by supporting the opposition group led by former vice president Riek Machar.

Meanwhile, Manyok from Twic East said their group plans to overthrow the current government under President Kiir. He pointed out that the people of South Sudan should unite their ranks to topple Kiir’s administration.

Omujuok Obaj, chairman of the SPLM-IO Youth League in Uganda, said the opposition faction led by former vice president Riek Machar belongs to all South Sudanese while accusing the Juba government of obstructing peace.