More than 1,000 fighters from the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) have defected to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army–In Opposition (SPLA-IO) following a rally held on Saturday in Akobo County, Jonglei State, local officials said.
The rally, organized by SPLA-IO’s Third Brigade, brought together military officers, police, National Security Service personnel and SSOA officers.
The South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), a signatory to the 2018 peace deal, is an umbrella group of opposition parties and is split into two Juba-based factions led by Vice President Josephine Lagu and Agriculture Minister Hussein Abdelbagi.
During the event, SSOA Brigadier General Much Dak Banang, who commanded SSOA forces in the Greater Lou area, publicly announced his defection along with his troops.
Banang said the decision followed a meeting of SSOA political leaders in Juba late last month, where they agreed to integrate their forces into the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), the country’s national army.
He said grassroots commanders in the Greater Lou Nuer area opposed the move, citing what they described as the failure to fully implement the 2018 peace agreement and continued military operations affecting civilians.
“We do not agree with abandoning our cause,” Banang told the gathering, addressing SPLA-IO leader Riek Machar. He said his forces formally reported to SPLA-IO’s Third Brigade commander, Brig. Gen. Thor Gang, on Dec. 27 and would operate under his command.
Radio Tamazuj was not able to independently verify the number of fighters involved.
SSOA political leaders in Juba did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and the SSPDF has not publicly addressed the claims.
During the same rally, Brig. Gen. Thor Gang called on SPLA-IO forces to avoid harming civilians or civilian property as they prepare to march toward Juba. He accused the government of violating the 2018 revitalized peace agreement and said the group’s fight was directed at government forces, not civilians.
“This conflict is between SPLA-IO and government forces,” Thor said, appealing to communities along potential movement routes, including Bor and Murle areas, to allow safe passage for SPLA-IO fighters.
South Sudan has remained fragile despite the peace deal that ended a five-year civil war, with the main parties frequently accusing each other of ceasefire violations and delays in security arrangements.
The SPLA-IO has recently overrun SSPDF bases in the Lou Nuer areas of Nyirol, Uror and Akobo, raising concerns over a possible escalation of violence in the country.