Machar’s SPLA-IO faction confirms defection of General Khor Chol to SSPDF

JUBA – South Sudan’s main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny has confirmed that General James Khor Chuol Giet’s defection to South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) days after the opposition commander announced his discontent with Machar.

Last week, General Khor Chuol accused Machar of turning the SPLM-IO into a “family company” and making the main armed opposition group a “SPLM/SPLA (IO) of despot, corrupt, tribalist and nepotist Leader Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon and his wife Angelina Jany Teny.”

In a statement on Saturday, SPLA-IO spokesman Lam Paul Gabriel confirmed General Khor Chuol’s defection and said the main armed opposition group respects his decision to choose a group of his choice.

“The SPLA-IO leadership learned of the defection of Maj. Gen. Khor Chuol with three other officers to the SSPDF on 09/08/2021 in Malual Gahoth,” he said.

However, the opposition military spokesman said the defection is a violation of the revitalized peace agreement and urged peace monitors to investigate the matter and hold those involved to account.

“Much as it is his right to associate humanly, the R-ARCSS considers defections as violations which need to be strongly condemned by all parties to the agreement,” he said.

“The SPLA-IO wishes Maj. Gen. Khor Chuol well where he is going and urged him to move his supporters out of Malual Gahoth being an area under the control of the SPLA-IO as these sponsored defections always end in attacks against the SPLA-IO forces,” he added.

He further said that the “SPLA-IO leadership ask the CTSAMVM to investigate this violations and hold those responsible to account.”