SPLA-IO general under investigation over disappearance of colleagues joins government

JUBA – A senior commander of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) has defected from the main armed opposition group under the leadership of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny accusing  Machar of working to make the group family property.

Major-General Moses Lokujo said in a statement last week that he was defecting because of lack of leadership in the SPLA-IO and said he is joining the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces under the leadership of President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

The former opposition general was under investigation for a May 2020 disappearance of two senior opposition commanders who were murdered allegedly through his orders, according to the SPLM-IO.

In a statement on Saturday, the SPLA-IO deputy spokesman Colonel Lam Paul Gabriel said General Moses defected after he was recalled to Juba for investigation over the unclear murder of the two opposition generals.

He said he defected to evade justice denying all the accusations which he labeled Machar.

“On 21/09/2020, the SPLA-IO  sighted the resignation and declaration of defection letter from Maj. Gen. Moses Lokujo on social media. His defection to the SSPDF came when he was brought to Juba for investigation on  the alleged murder of three (3) SPLA-IO officers which took place on 10/05/2020,” Lam said in a statement seen by Sudans Post.

“His defections is not only an acceptance of guilt but also a way to avoid justice, and has no link to the accusations and negative propaganda he labeled against the SPLA-IO and its leadership,” the statement added.

“This morning the 26/09/2020, Maj. Gen. Moses Lokujo abducted local chiefs and community leaders from SPLA-IO controlled areas who came to him in Bori yesterday 25/09/2020 on peace mission to maintain stability in the area and avoid clashes. He then brought them to Juba to support his defection; this is both a violation of the R-ARCSS and a criminal act committed against those innocent civilians.

“The SPLA-IO therefore,  calls upon the CTSAMVM and UNMISS to investigate these  criminal act and make those responsible to account. The SPLA-IO remains committed to the implementation of the Security Arrangements in particular and the R-ARCSS in general. Peace.”