Top opposition commander, colleagues join Machar’s group

JUBA – A senior South Sudan opposition commander and his colleagues have announced their intention to join the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.

Maj.-Gen. Hayman Mohamed Ibrahim of the Reform and Development Front (RDF), in Western Bahr el Ghazal state made the declaration in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Friday afternoon.

In a statement, the senior opposition commanders claimed that the main armed opposition group is the only movement who said will fight for the marginalized South Sudan.

“We have decided to join the SPLM/A-IO because we see that it is the only movement with vision which will liberate the marginalized people of South Sudan and therefore, we have pledged our political and military support on it,” they said in the statement.

Separately, head of SPLM-IO chapter in the Sudanese capital Khartoum confirmed the defection of the senior opposition commanders and said they welcome the move taken by the little-known opposition generals.

“Political and military leaders of the Reform and Development Front announced Raja Province, led by the deputy chairman -designate Major General  Ayman Mohamed Ibrahim have declared their full allegiance to SPLM/A-IO leadership under First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny,” Magok is quoted by Nyamilepedia as saying.