South Sudan spy chief behind attempts top destabilize Greater Akobo – SPLA-IO

JUBA – South Sudan’s head of the state intelligence body has been accused by South Sudan’s main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) of conspiring to hire senior SPLA-IO officers in Jonglei state to cause destabilizing activities.

This comes after the opposition group led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny arrested four of its officers including two major-generals following attempts to defect to South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in Nyirol County of Jonglei state last week.

“SPLA-IO HQ of sector three (3) division 8 would like to inform the general public and the die heart of the movement that, sector three acting commander Major Gen Stephen Bang Kuei have issued an arrest warrant to five (5) military officers accusing them of linking with Juba regime,” the opposition command in Jonglei said in a statement.

Those arrested and are still being held including Major-General Makuach Gatluak, Major-General Yien Thoar Kuny, Colonel Nyang Chol, and Lieutenant General Machar Puoch Nhial.

“The activities of the accused Generals were intercepted by Military Intelligent (MI) before the arrest took place on Thursday evening. Director of National Security service Gen Akol Kur and Gen Yien Makuach held a secret phone conversation persuading the above frustrated Gen to destabilize and provoke the situation with in the IO rank then defect and join the government of Salva Kiir,” the statement alleged.

It claimed that the officers “were given money and also promise with promotion ranging from Brig Gen to Lt Gen. Machar Puoch Nhial was serving in SPLM-IO rank.”

It further added that the “attempt was coordinated through Nyirol County MP Ruot Koryom, Nyang Chuol Dhuor through the mentioned above General (Akol Kur and Yien Makuach).”

“The secret behind this was to mobilize, attack the headquarter then declare themselves according to the finding after the investigation. The arrested Generals are now in our custody, safe and will be the highest general command to decide when the investigation is completed.”