Defected SPLM-IO General told to take supporters along

JUBA – A major General who defected from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) under Dr. Riek Machar has been told to relocate and take his supporters with him.

Maj. Gen. Khor Chuol together with three other officers has defected to the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) in the latest wave of defection.

Confirming the development Saturday, 14 August 2021, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, the SPLA-IO Spokesperson at the General Headquarters wished the defected group well but said they should have their supporters with them to avoid skirmishes.

“The SPLA-IO leadership learned of the defection of Maj. Gen. Khor Chuol with three other officers to the SSPDF on 09/08/2021 in Malual Gahoth,” Lam said in a statement, “Much as it is his right to associate humanly, the R-ARCSS considers defections as a violation which needs to be strongly condemned by all parties to the agreement.”

“The SPLA-IO wishes Maj. Gen. Khor Chuol well where he is going and urges him to move his supporters out of Malual Gahoth being an area under the control of the SPLA-IO as these sponsored defections always end in attacks against the SPLA-IO forces,” he adds.

The Spokesperson called on CTSAMVM to investigate what he called the violation of the agreement and hold those responsible to account.

He said the SPLA-IO remains committed to the implementation of the Transitional Security Arrangement and reserves the right to self-defense.