More than a thousand soldiers of South Sudan’s national army (SPLA) have deserted their positions at the Jonglei front and headed back toward key towns or toward their home base, after the army delayed in paying their salaries.

SPLA Spokesman Col. Philip Aguer said that the army still controlled Gadiang in spite of mass defections from the frontline area. 

He admitted the desertion of SPLA forces in Jonglei but downplayed it saying, “the issue of desertion is not a new thing in the army, it did happen during the time of struggle… it’s an administrative issue that the SPLA will handle.”

It was further reported that the defecting forces are said to number more than 1000 soldiers who left Gadiang and crossed the Nile into Lakes state en route to Bahr al Ghazal region.

Aguer emphasized that the problem is purely administrative and not political.

Several hundred soldiers also arrived from the front to Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, last week or earlier this week. They have been demanding food and money from local residents and traders.

This group is smaller and not from the same division as the largest group, which is reported still to be in Lakes state and moving on foot.

The Minister of Information Jody Jonglei Boyoris of Jonglei has confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that 'many soldiers' Jhavge come from Gadiang to Bor. He could not give exact figures.

“They walked a a long distant and they are hungry without money and food. The mayor of Bor gave them two Bulls to feed themselves as a welcoming gift. On the day they of arrival they shot in the air, but not anymore. Now they went to Mawal Chat while other troops remained deployed in Gadiang”, the minister explained.

“This matter is a military issue, so they have to give details about this" he told the radio. SPLA-spokesperson Philip Aguer also confirmed that hundreds of soldiers have left their base in Jonglei. He denied that also soldiers from Bentiu are leaving their duty station moving back home due to lack of money.

File photo