South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
The Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO) has downplayed the defection of its senior commanders to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).
Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, SPLA-IO spokesman, described the reported defection of two commanders, along with more than 11,000 forces, to the SSPDF as “sensitive.”
“The office of the SPLA-IO Spokesperson will not be making an immediate response to the alleged defection news in Jonglei and Western Bahr el Ghazal States by some SPLA-IO officers due to the sensitive nature of the matter,” Lam said in a statement issued on Sunday.
Col. Lam stated that there are no written or recorded statements by officers claiming defection to the SSPDF.
He added that consultations and investigations are underway to ascertain the claims made by the SSPDF.
Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, SSPDF spokesperson, issued a statement on Saturday claiming that they have received about 11,000 soldiers from SPLA-IO.
The group, led by Maj. Gen. Peter Gatkek Tolchiek, SPLA-IO commander of Sector 3 in Nyirol County, Jonglei State, joined the SSPDF, along with Lt. Gen. Keer Kai Geu, a senior SPLA-IO commander.
“SSPDF command/leadership welcomes back to its ranks and file 11,000 former SPLA-IO soldiers,” Ruai said in a statement issued on Saturday.
Gen. Ruai noted that the SSPDF Chief of Defence Forces, Dr. Paul Nang, praised the forces for their bold and heroic decision to join the national army.
“On 25/10/2025, Maj. Gen. Peter Gatkek Tolchiek, along with 6,100 officers and other ranks, officially declared their defection from SPLM/A-IO under the leadership of detained FVP Dr. Riek Machar.”
Ruai stated that the troops switched their allegiance to President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Commander-in-Chief of the SSPDF and Supreme Commander of all organised forces.
“The SSPDF command would also like to congratulate Lt. Gen. Keer Kai Geu for also declaring his defection from SPLA-IO to the government,” he said.
Gen. Keer rejoined the government with 5,400 members of the organised forces, comprising Police, Prison, and Wildlife.
He also mentioned that 300 personnel from the National Security Service, under the command of Col. Malang Yol Rial, joined the SSPDF.
“With Maj. Gen. Peter Gatkek Tolchiek’s defection, along with Lt. Gen. Keer Kai Geu and Col. Malang Yol Rial’s defection to the government, the SSPDF has indirectly regained control of Pading HQs in Nyirol County, Nyambor, and Riang.”
