JUBA – South Sudan opposition groups who are fighting the transitional government in Juba are downplaying the defection of one of its leaders to President Salva Kiir’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), saying it will not affect them.
Earlier today, Tut Doap, the leader of the United Democratic Revolutionary Movement/Army (UDRM/A), said he was resigning from his group and the holdout opposition alliance None-Signatories South Sudanese Opposition Groups (NSSSOG) and joining president Salva Kiir.
“I do hereby declare my unconditional return to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), under the Chairmanship of Comrade Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of the Republic of South Sudan,” he said in a statement extended to Sudans Post.
Reacting to the rebel leader’s defection, Col. Philip Deng Kuol, the military spokesman of South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A) led by General Paul Malong Awan Anei and a member of the NSSOG said the defection of Doap will not affect the opposition alliance.
“The departure of Mr. Tut Doap does and will never affect the NSSSOG. You know politics sometime defends on individual decision and reading of events,” Col. Deng told Sudans Post when asked for a comment this afternoon.
“So, if Tut chooses to return to the same SPLM known for leadership failure and an ethnic divide, let him go. The SSOMA currently known as NSSSOG will still stand tall looking ahead to attain South Sudanese’s projected goals,” he added.