General Khor Chol’s defection to SSPDF violates revitalized peace deal – Machar’s group

JUBA – The defection of South Sudan main armed opposition commander General Khor Chuol Giet is a violation of the revitalized peace agreement that should be condemned by all parties to the 2018 peace agreement, a spokesman allied to the SPLA-IO led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny has said.

In a statement on Saturday, Colonel Lam Paul Gabriel, the SPLA-IO spokesman allied to Machar, confirmed the defection of General James Khor and said the defection is a violation of the revitalized peace agreement which he said should be strongly condemned by all parties to the 2018 peace agreement.

“The SPLA-IO leadership learned of the defection of Maj. Gen. Khor Chuol with three other officers to the SSPDF on 09/08/2021 in Malual Gahoth. Much as it is his right to associate humanly, the R-ARCSS considers defections as violations which need to be strongly condemned by all parties to the agreement,” he said in the statement.

He urged General Khor to move out his forces in the opposition-controlled part of Maiwut state where SPLA-Io forces are currently cantoned saying they may disturb peace in the area should they remain there as tensions have been reported last week in several opposition areas amid defections and splits.

“The SPLA-IO wishes Maj. Gen. Khor Chuol well where he is going and urged him to move his supporters out of Malual Gahoth being an area under the control of the SPLA-IO as these sponsored defections always end in attacks against the SPLA-IO forces,” he said.

While reiterating the group’s commitment to the revitalized peace agreement, Colonel Lam urged peace monitors to investigate the defection which he considers as a violation of the peace deal saying the main armed opposition group is committed to peace implementation, but reserves the right to defense itself against attacks.

“The SPLA-IO leadership asks the CTSAMVM to investigate these violations and hold those responsible to account. The SPLA-IO remains committed to the Implementation of the Transitional Security Arrangement and reserve the right to self-defence,” he said.