SPLM-IO commander joins government in Unity state

BENTIU – A senior commander of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) in South Sudan’s Unity state has declared his intention to join the government of President Salva Kiir accusing Machar of incapability to lead.

Major General Malieth Malieth Nhial had first defected to the South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A) led by General Paul Malong last week. It however remains clear why he would change allegiance in a few days to finally join the government.

On Saturday, Malieth and a team of military officers who previously declared their allegiance to General Paul Malong Awan met the governor of Unity state Joseph Nguen Manytuil who assured them of their safety and the government commitment to the revitalized peace agreement.

“The governor of Unity State, Lt. Gen. Dr Joseph Manytuil Wijang met with SPLM IO defected Generals on Saturday 05/09/2020,” the governor’s office said in a statement seen by Sudans Post.

The statement said General Malieth  and his team “stressed that the SPLM IO is no longer a people’s movement, but a family organization owned by individuals for their personal interest.”

They further “assured governor Manytuil of their strong support to the leadership H.E Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, president of the Republic and Commander in Chief of SSPDF.”

“On his part, governor Manytuil reiterated the commitment of president Salva Kiir Mayardit to implement the revitalized Peace agreement and called upon those who didn’t signed the agreement to accept president Salva Kiir Mayardit amnesty,” the statement added.