SPLA-IO general accuses Unity State governor of forcing eviction over defection refusal

JUBA – A senior SPLA-IO commander, Maj. Gen. John Turuk Khor, alleges he and his troops were expelled from Bentiu, the capital of Unity State, for refusing to defect to the government’s South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).

This comes after the Unity State government and SSPDF reportedly informed SPLA-IO commanders residing in Bentiu since the revitalized peace agreement that they were no longer welcome and had to leave or face eviction.

The SPLA-IO troops subsequently withdrew to Tong, one of their sites in the state.

Speaking to Sudans Post from Tong, General Turuk accused Governor Joseph Manytuil of making repeated attempts to convince him to defect to the SSPDF. He claims his refusal to defect is the reason behind his expulsion from Bentiu.

“The reason for our expulsion from Bentiu is because the governor wanted us to defect with Simon Maguek,” Khor stated.

He clarified that his initial visit to Bentiu was temporary and intended to help address the rampant crime and violence plaguing the town.

“When I arrived, I brought the revenge killings and violence under control,” Khor claimed. “However, since then, the governor has repeatedly pressured me to defect to the government, which I refused. Likewise, when Simon Maguek defected, the governor again asked me to follow suit, but I declined.”

Khor asserts that his loyalty lies with the peace process and that he sees no reason to defect.

He concludes by stating, “The SPLA-IO under my command was expelled from Bentiu solely because we refused to join the government. This is not just known to me and the SPLA-IO, but to the entire people of South Sudan.”

The alleged forced eviction of SPLA-IO troops could violate the terms of the revitalized peace agreement and potentially reignite tensions between the two factions.