Over 300 SPLA-IO officers defect to Kiir in Juba

JUBA — More than 300 officers from the main opposition group, Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO), led by First Vice President Riek Machar, have defected to the National Security Services (NSS) and South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) under President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Juba.

The groups comprise 259 National Security Services officers from Gut-Makur training in Western Equatoria State and 48 soldiers from the Wunlet training center in Central Equatoria State.

Brig. Gen. Justin Mark Katuru, commanding officer of National Security Services officers, announced their allegiance to National Security Services at its headquarters in Juba on Tuesday.

“We undersigned 259 officers, non-commissioned officers, and personnel of the National Service (NSS) under the SPLM/A-IO in sector six, division 9B, brigade 4 Tambura and Nagero or Gut-Makur training center in Western Equatoria hereby officially declare our allegiance to the National Security Service under President Salva Kiir Mayardit and commander-in-chief of the SSPDF and all other regular forces,” Gen. Mark said.

“We are disillusioned by growing tribalism, sectarianism, and nepotism within the SPLM/A-IO. We believe that under the SPLM leadership, we can better contribute to a unified security structure that serves all South Sudanese fairly and takes our country forward.”

For his part, Brig. Gen. John Lubari Yakobo, commander of 48 defectors from the Wunlet training center in Central Equatoria, said they defected in order to end the suffering of civilians.

“There are more coming. I have come to work for peace with Comrade Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit and the citizens of this country,” said Lubari.

David John Kumuri, the spokesperson of the National Security Services (NSS) Internal Security Bureau, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to integrating all armed forces under a single national military structure.

“The National Security Service welcomes the decision taken by the cited commander and reiterates that the safety and security of their forces is guaranteed, as well as swift integration into the SSPDF and other regular forces of the South Sudan government,” said Kumuri.

In April, over 2,000 active personnel from the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), led by Brigadier General Samir Ibrahim David, defected to the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) under President Salva Kiir.

According to the defectors, the group includes 105 army officers, 650 police officers, 668 prison service officers, 400 wildlife officers, and 506 fire brigade officers.