Top Cirilo-allied commander joins Kiir

JUBA, JUNE 24, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – A senior commander belonging to the rebel National Salvation Front (NAS) has today announced his defection from the General Thomas Cirilo-led group to join the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).

Speaking to reporters following a closed-door meeting with Central Equatoria State governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony in Yei today, Brig. Gen. Kennedy Kenyi Abdo who is better known to locals as ‘Kenyi Worrior’ said he resigned to join the peace process under President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

“I Brig. Gen. Kennedy Kenyi Abdo, do hereby from the effect of today 24^th June 2023 declare that I have resigned serving within the files and ranks of NAS under the leadership of Gen. Thomas Cirilo and immediately join the peace wagon under H.E Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit,” he said.

The senior opposition commander went on to appeal to the NAS forces and his colleagues to denounce violence and join the peace process as the only remedy to end the suffering of the people of South Sudan.

For his part, Governor Adil commended the NAS commander “for the wise decision he has taken by swiftly heeding to the Presidential call on peace through dialogue and the government’s doors remains open to any holdout groups intending to join the ongoing peace efforts in various levels to enhance sustainable peace and development.”