At least 2,171 SPLA-IO troops in Western Bahr el Ghazal State’s Jur River County defected to and officially joined the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces on Wednesday.
This marks the largest defection of opposition troops in Jur River County following reports of clashes between the SPLA-IO and the SSPDF last week.
Sources said the defection leaves very few SPLA-IO soldiers in the state.
Speaking during the reception of the defectors at Grinti Military Base in Wau, SSPDF 5th Infantry Division Commander Maj. General Jiel Mangok Yel welcomed the decision taken by the forces.
“Deputy Governor (Zackaria Joseph Garang), I am very happy today for you to come under these mangoes to witness the reception of the SPLA –IO forces from Jur River County who have declared their defection to the SSPDF,” he said. “Those who have declared themselves are from Jur River County, and we are still reaching out to those in Wau County because we have a program we are following, and I am very happy today because peace is now prevailing.”
Gen. Mangok said the prolonged insecurity in some parts of the country was jeopardizing service delivery by the government. He added that with the defection of the opposition forces to the SSPDF, the government can now deliver much-needed services.
“The government has appealed for delivery of services to its citizens, but due to insecurity, NGOs were not able to carry out their operations,” he stated. “I am calling on the Western Bahr el Ghazal State Government to reach out to these people who have accepted peace so that they can continue with their lives.”
“To my colleagues who have come in uniform, I appeal to you to be disciplined, and if you are told to sleep under these mango trees, you have to accept it,” Gen. Mangok added.
According to the commander, the military headquarters in Juba is working very hard to ensure the immediate reintegration of the forces into the SSPDF, and that his office will not interfere with their ranks.
On his part, Deputy Governor Garang commended the decision taken by the SPLA-IO forces to join the SSPDF, saying it will lead to peace and stability in the region.
“We have come to greet you and welcome you to the government. Your decision is encouraging because our country only needs one army,” he told the defectors. “We have been communicating with you to return home, and today, you have accepted. Your coming tells us that there is no more SPLA-IO in Jur River County.”
“We still need you to continue engaging with the few remaining in your previous camps to come and join you here. We need you to talk to Bol Wek, Tawal Tawal, and Kuol Monybut to come home,” he added.
The defectors are led by Maj. General Lino Uraya Madut, Maj. General Santino Buong Bol, Maj. General James Pinyi Madut, Maj. General Santino Nyiyuo Maker, Maj. General Santino Amor Majok, and Maj. General Paulino Madut, among others.
The forces are mainly from greater Roc-roc dong, Kuajiena, and Alur payams, where the SPLA–IO’s Division 6 (A) was stationed.