SPLA-IO officers who defected to Cirilo last year returns to Machar
South Sudan army soldiers in unidentified area in Central Equatoria state (Photo by REUTERS)
KHARTOUM – At least 25 rebel officers who defected from the SPLA-IO in December last year to join the National Salvation Front (NAS) led by General Thomas Cirilo Swaka have decided to return to the main armed opposition group along with 270 soldiers, according to a statement extended to Sudans Post.
Last year, a group of opposition soldiers including Colonel Louis Wani Morris from the SPLA-IO accused Machar of marginalizing them and later on decided to defect and join the NAS under Cirilo “to fight for equality and a genuine peace in the country.”
However, in a statement on Saturday, those soldiers whose number has so far increased said they are returning to the SPLA-IO because, according to them, it is the only opposition group that is capable of effecting change in the country.
“We have learned that SPLM/A-IO under the leadership of Dr. Riek Machar Teny is the only party that can liberate South Sudan and bring lasting peace,” the statement extended to Sudans Post said.
“The SPLM/A-IO under the leadership of Dr. Riek Machar Teny is the party still believing on true cause of federalism and devolution of powers and resources at teh grassroots which is the only solution to the ongoing South Sudan Crisis,” they added in the statement.
Separately, the SPLA-IO spokesman, Brigadier General William Gatjiath Deng confirmed in a statement seen by Sudans Post the return of his former colleagues and said the main armed opposition group was happy to welcome them back.
“The office of information for SPLA (IO) has today felt excited to announces to you and inform the public with sense of happiness using the voice of the revolutionary movement, as today this afternoon, twenty five (25) officers all under command of Col. Louis Wani Morris, along with other two hundred and seventy (270) none commissioned officers, (NCOs) and men have defected from the National Salvation Front (NAS) and declared their full allegiance to the SPLM/A (IO) movement, under the chairmanship of Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon, Chairman and Commander in Chief (C-in-C) of SPLM/A(IO), the first vice president of the Republic of South Sudan,” William said in the statement issued this evening.
“This huge military team has received by the SPLA (IO) high command leadership and warmly seated with confidence and comradeship spirit in the movement,” the statement added.