Cycle of defections in Unity State violates, threatens fragile peace deal, warns Yakani   

JUBA – A South Sudanese activist has strongly condemned the recent defection of senior military commanders from the army to the main armed opposition SPLA-IO in Unity State, asserting that the cycle of defections in the oil-rich state gravely violates and endangers the revitalized peace agreement.

The call follows this week’s defection in Unity State of 17 senior military officers from the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) to the SPLA-IO, alleging that President Kiir is unwilling to integrate them into the army.

It also comes after the defection of several senior SPLA-IO officers, in Unity and Jonglei states, from the main armed opposition group to the SSPDF, citing First Vice President Riek Machar’s failure to lead the faction effectively.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post today, Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), cautioned that embracing defectors from opposing parties constitutes a severe breach of the 2018 peace accord.

“The recurring military defections in Unity State among the armed groups opposed to each other are jeopardizing the successful political transition process from violence to peace,” Yakani asserted.

“Any signatory party to the R-ARCSS that welcomes defectors is a violator of the permanent ceasefire. Every defection accepted by the SSDPF, SPLA-IO, or any other armed group signatory to the R-ARCSS is a genuine violation of the agreement on the cessation of hostilities and permanent ceasefire,” he added.

Yakani attributed the ongoing violence to the ruling class’s exploitation of force to maintain control over the country and their insatiable thirst for power.

“The current gun class in our society has amply demonstrated that their political motivation in governing the country is through destructive strategies where violence is used as a tool for seeking or retaining political power,” Yakani remarked.

“The current gun class in our society has effectively undermined our 60-year struggle for independence from the rest of Sudan. They are a curse to our nation’s early birth days, our national anthem, and the very purpose of independence,” he added.

The prominent civil society leader implored South Sudan’s political leaders to engage in self-reflection and evaluate their actions, which he characterized as being driven by financial mismanagement and an insatiable hunger for power to continue looting the country.

“It is time for our political elites to sit down and assess their political performance since our country’s independence from the rest of Sudan on July 9, 2011. Over 70% of their rule has been marked by failure in proper financial management and ensuring adequate security for the safety and protection of individuals and communities,” he remarked.

The activist further alleged that South Sudan’s political leaders have displayed a “strong desire for ethnic nationalism” rather than working towards the aspirations of the country as a whole.

He urged “the political elites of South Sudan to sincerely demonstrate political maturity and discipline before the citizens, the region, and the international community that they are putting forth efforts to secure political and economic stability in South Sudan rather than just fully exploiting political frictions and tensions that undermine the purpose of having political leadership for government and state.”

“The culture of using political instability to gain access to political power or control political power is an absolute demonstration of political immaturity and indiscipline in the public governance arena,” he added.