South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
More than 300 soldiers from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO), yesterday defected to the National Security Services (NSS) and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in Juba.
David John Kumuri, the spokesperson of the Internal Security Bureau of the National Security Services (NSS), disclosed that the defectors include 259 National Security Services officers from Nagero training center in Western Equatoria State and 48 soldiers from the Wunlet training center in Central Equatoria State.
“The National Security Service welcomes the decision taken by the cited commander and reiterates that the safety and security of their forces is guaranteed, as well as swift integration into the SSPDF and other regular forces of the South Sudan government,” Kumuri said at a press conference held at the NSS headquarters in Juba.
Kumuri, welcomed the soldiers and assured them of safety.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to integrating all armed forces under a single national military structure, and called on all regular forces to accord necessary assistance to forces from holdout groups seeking peaceful access to the government’s garrisons.
Brig. Gen Justin Mark, commander of the National Security Services officers, said they abandoned the SPLA-IO under First Vice President Riek Machar because of their strong desire for peace in Western Equatoria State.
“We are motivated by a deep longing for peace and reconciliation among the people of Western Equatoria State, Tambura, and Ngaero,” Mark said.
Mark also accused the SPLM/A-IO leadership of practicing tribalism, sectarianism, and nepotism within the movement.
“We believe that under the SPLM leadership, we can better contribute to a unified security structure that serves all South Sudanese fairly and takes our country forward,” he said.
For his part, Brig. Gen. John Lubari Yakobo, commander of the soldiers from Wunlet training center who joined the SSPDF said they abandoned the SPLA-IO in order to bring an end to the suffering of civilians.
“There are more coming. I have come to work for peace with Comrade Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit and the citizens of this country,” Lubari said.
