Army personnel allied to the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLA-IO) under Dr. Riek Machar to staged mass exodus from to the South Sudan Peoples’ Defense Forces (SSPDF) Under president Salva Kiir.
About one thousand, one-hundred and four (1,104) SPLA-IO personnel based in Western and Eastern Equatoria including various training centers in Juba, Bahr el Ghazal and Jonglei joined SSPDF. Brig-Gen. Gabriel Bol Anuer – ex commander for mobilization & organization for SPLA-IO in Bahr el Ghazal region declared that he alongside 500 forces abandoned Dr. Machar for SSPDF.
“I Brig-Gen. Gabriel Bol Anuer, serving as the commander for mobilization & organization for SPLA-IO officially declare on behalf of the forces under my command our withdrawal from the SPLA-IO faction led by Dr. Riek Machar, and fully align ourselves with the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) under the esteemed leadership of Gen. Slava Kiir,” said Anuer
He alleged that their defection was because of the politicization of the implementation of the security arrangement by the SPLM/A-IO.
Also. Gen Anuer cited targeted killing and torture of none Nuer members in Machar’s faction as another reason, specifically in Wunaliet cantonment where 48 officers were tortured and dehumanized.
“I declare my allegiance and that of the other forces (over 500 soldiers under the command once again, to the wise leadership of H.E Gen Salva Kiir, president of the Republic of South Sudan, Commander in chief of SSPDF, and other organized forces,”
“As we pledge our allegiance to the SSPDF and its leadership under the wise leadership of H.E Gen Salva Kiir Mayardit, we are committed to working tirelessly toward the objective of peace, security and stability,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Brig-Gen. Compeo Andrea Matia, who also led 500 personnel stated that they joined SPLA-IO for reform but failed drastically.
“SPLA-IO movement has lost direction Dr. Riek Machar deceived us that we were fighting a just war for reform, however, we have realized that we were wasting our time fighting meaningless war to keep Dr. Riek Machar and his family in power,” Said Matia.
The group cited persisted tribalism, nepotism and lack of the direction in SPLA-IO as reasons for their defections.
“We are ready to cooperate with the state government to restore peace and security for our people and ready to support president Salva Kiir Mayardit. the integration of our forces into SSPDF will be a role model, will be an example for those who are still hanging out there to join in and organized,” Matia added.
David John Kumuri, spokesman for South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS), confirmed that 604 SPLA-IO personnel had defected.
“The received forces were based in Western Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria state respectively with latter having comprised of 55, while the former comprised of 549 each, making total of 604 forces together,” he said.
He said their reintegration into the SSPDF was crucial for stability, adding that widow are still open for forces who are still willing to join SSPDF.
“Finally, NSS guarantees that the ongoing reception of the holdout forces including the SDPLA-IO forces is constructive and central to peace and tranquility of the country and its people,” Kumuri added.