South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
More than 2,400 members of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), including seven senior commanders have defected to government forces, the National Security Services (NSS) said Friday.
The National Security Service spokesperson, David John Kumuri, said that the opposition forces were led by Brig.Gen. Ibrahim Samir David, the SSOA commander in the Greater Equatoria region and the group’s spokesperson on the Joint Defense Board (JDB).
“The decision taken by Brig. Gen. Samir and his group is commendable,” said Kumuri at a press conference held at the headquarter of the Internal Security Bureau of NSS in Juba.
“Their safety and security are guaranteed, and the integration process into the national army will proceed accordingly,” he added.
Kumuri emphasized that the growing number of defections from the oppositiong reflects a national desire for peace.
“This significant development shows the determination of the people of South Sudan to prioritize peace and unity over conflict. It’s a strong indication that war is no longer a viable path forward,” he said.
Meanwhile, Brig.Gen. Samir declared the group’s complete withdrawal from SSOA and all affiliated political organizations.
He stated that they now operate under the command of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, the Commander-in-Chief of the SSPDF and all organized forces.
“We hereby, declare our full disengagement from SSOA. We renounce all roles previously held under its military and political mechanisms. From now on, we serve under the command and control of the national leadership in accordance with the laws governing the organized forces,” said Samir.
The group, which includes 2,434 personnel, called on other remaining SSOA-aligned forces across Upper Nile, Bahr el Ghazal, and Equatoria to follow their lead and join the government’s efforts toward achieving lasting peace.
Samir warned SSOA’s political leadership against making contact with the defected forces, stating that such actions would violate military regulations.
The latest development came in the aftermath of the defection of about 500 Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in opposition (SPLA-IO) soldiers since late March.
