SPLA-IO Kitgwang operation commander defects to Gen. Laraka’s group

JUBA – South Sudan opposition commander Lt. Gen. Solomon Taidor, also the operation commander of the main armed opposition SPLA-IO Kitgwang led by General Simon Gatwech Dual, has declared his defection to the Patriots Resistance Movement (PRM) led by General Laraka Machar Turoal.

Speaking to Sudans Post this afternoon, Taidor accused Gatwech of lacking vision and commitment to the peace principles the group laid down when they broke away from the main faction led by First Vice President Riek Machar in June 2021.

“This is to inform you that I have defected with immediate effect from today from the SPLA-IO Kitgwang led by General Gatwech Dual. From now on, I belong to the Patriots Resistance Movement (PRM) led by Lt. Gen. Laraka Machar Turoal Thach,” he said.

“The reason why I declared myself to the new group is because when we broke away from Dr. Riek Machar in 2021, we wanted to pursue a just peace with the government, and now General Gatwech Dual is not committed to that, and as a result, I defect from him,” he added.

Taidor, the SPLA-IO Kitgwang operation commander, earlier today dismissed as untrue a claim by former diplomat turned military commander Gatkuoth Biel Nyang that they have removed Gatwech from the leadership of the group.

Gatkuoth who was deported to Juba by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) over alleged links with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has removed Gatwech and declared his interest in pursuing peace with the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

Laraka, the current leader of the PRM, was the chief of staff of the SPLA-IO Kitgwang until July last year when he defected to form the PRM in December of the same year.

He is currently participating in the Nairobi peace initiative mediated by the Kenyan government between opposition groups that did not sign the revitalized peace agreement with the government.

In a statement to Sudans Post, Laraka welcomed Taidor’s decision and described General Taidor as a “wise” soldier who “has fought for the benefit and greater good of the people of South Sudan,” wishing him all the best in the movement.

“Lt. Gen. Solomon Taidor was the one who saved Kitgwang from collapsing when we parted ways with Gen. Johnson Olony Thubo, Gen. Thomas Mabor and Gen. Buony Muon Tayaw, he took most of the soldiers to Pieri when they were about to be controlled by the three renegade senior military leaders, is highly welcome to his movement and in pursuit for a meaningful peace and stability in South Sudan,” he added.