General Cirilo’s rebel group debunks as ‘fake’ reports that its deputy chief of staff has defected

JUBA – South Sudan’s National Salvation Front (NAS) led by General Thomas Cirilo Swaka has debunked, as fake, reports suggesting that its deputy Chief of General Staff for Training, General John Kenyi Loburong, has defected from the group, days after the deputy chief of staff for administration and teh group’s operation commander in Western Equatoria state, General Saki James resigned from the rebel group.

In a statement seen by Sudans Post on Saturday, the holdout opposition group said the opposition commander has not defected and praised his ‘patriotic’ role in the struggle to remove President Salva Kiir Mayardit from power.

“The leadership of NAS would like to assure everyone that Lt. Gen. John Kenyi Loburong has not defected from NAS and is with his forces in his area of command,” reads a statement from NAS, describing General Kenyi as “loyal patriotic freedom fighter” committed to liberate the people of South Sudan from “oppression and subjugation so as to achieve freedom, justice, equality and restoration of the dignity of the people.”

“The fake resignation letter in circulation is a desperate propaganda and forgery from dismissed former NAS members,” the statement signed by NAS spokespersons, Suba Samuel Manase added.

Last week, the NAS deputy chief of staff for administration, General Saki James and his forces have defected from the holdout opposition group telling General Thomas Cirilo in a statement extended to Sudans Post that he is severing ties with him.

“This letter is intended to serve as my official resignation from NAS. I served in the leadership of NAS from 12/09/2017 diligently till to date and hence forth I am cutting ties from NAS with all my forces of Western Equatorial Command,” General Saki said in the statement last week.