![South Sudan's then newly removed FVP Dr. Riek Machar Teny speaks during a meeting of the SPLM-IO political bureau in Khartoum, Sudan. [Photo by SUNA]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Riek_Machar.jpg?resize=1024%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1)
Brigadier General Samuel Machul Nguen Majiek announced his defection on Sunday, stating he made the decision after “extensive consultations.”
In a written statement, he declared his move from the SPLA-IO under Riek Machar to Kiir’s SPLM party, including its military wing South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and national security services (SSNPS).
Majiek denounced his past involvement with the opposition and pledged his support for President Kiir, labelling him “the only visionary leader for South Sudan.”
He also expressed regret for joining the SPLA-IO in December 2020, vowing to write an apology letter to his former unit within the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS).
This defection follows similar events in December 2023, when Major General John Turuk Khor of the SPLA-IO claimed he was expelled with his troops from Bentiu, the Unity State capital, for refusing to join the SSPDF.
The Unity State government and the SSPDF had informed SPLA-IO commanders living in Bentiu at the time that they had to leave or face eviction, raising concerns about a violation of the peace agreement between the two factions.
