Two groups of the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) have defected to the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), military officials said Monday.
The defectors, from the Khor Fulus area in Jonglei State and the Alel military training camp in Upper Nile State, abandoned the SPLA-IO, which is led by detained First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.
Maj. Gen. James Koang Wieu, who led one of the groups, told Radio Tamazuj that he left the SPLA-IO because it was not committed to peace. He urged remaining fighters to lay down their arms and join the peace process, saying those seeking power should wait for general elections.
“I decided to defect because some people are taking us back to war, while I am interested in peace and unity,” Koang said. “Elections are the only way forward for power transfer.”
He said his group included 171 soldiers.
Maj. Gen. Michael Majok, commander of the SSPDF’s Division 2 in Malakal, said a total of 209 SPLA-IO fighters had switched sides. The second group, led by Col. Nhial Tap, consisted of 38 personnel.
Majok credited local leaders and the Upper Nile state government for persuading the fighters to join the peace process.
Meanwhile, Upper Nile State’s military governor, Gen. James Koang Chuol, praised the defectors’ decision as “courageous” and called on others to follow.
“The country needs stability, peace and development—not instability,” he said.
SPLA-IO spokesperson Col. Lam Paul Gabriel could not immediately be reached for comment.
The SPLA-IO, a key signatory to a 2018 peace agreement that formed a unity government in 2020, has yet to fully integrate its forces into a unified national army as stipulated in the deal.
Analysts warn that defections could further destabilize the country amid rising tensions.