12 SPLM-IO officials allegedly abandoned Machar in Unity State

JUBA – At least twelve members of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny have allegedly declared their intention to defect and join the SPLM party under President Salva Kiir.

This is according to the SPLM Chairperson of Unity State’s Koch County Gen. Koang Biel who is better known as Koang Nyalualgo.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post, Gen. Koang Biel who doubles as the Koch County Commissioner said the 12 opposition officials include Payam administrators and head chiefs and defected last week during a declaration in Koch County.

“The office of Koch County SPLM chairperson would like to inform the state SPLM office about the following members of which declared themselves from SPLM-IO to SPLM-IG in Koch County and below are their names,” Gen. Koang

The senior local government official said in the statement that those who dumbed Machar for Kiir were led by Kueth Jiech Ruot, the Payam administrator for Mirmir, Kuach Malieth and deputy head chief for Mirmir.

Sudans Post could not independently verify the claim as attempts to contact the SPLM-IO Unity State secretariat was in vain.