Gen. Malong welcomes eight defected SSPM members
The South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A), led by Paul Malong Awan said they have received new defected members of the South Sudan People’s Movement/Army (SSPM/A), led by Gen. Stephen Buay Rolnyang, at its headquarters in Khartoum, Sudan.
The SSUF/A Deputy Military Spokesperson, Maj Philip Deng Kuol Nguot, claimed that eight officers, non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and men headed by Maj Gen Amos Kuol Puok Gatwech disowned SSPM.
“On behalf of SSUF/A military leadership, allow me to give you a clue on the enormous news that a group of officers, NCOs and men headed by Maj. Gen. Amos Kuol Puok Gatwech, switched allegiance from SSPM/A led by Gen. Stephen Buay Rolnyang to SSUF/A under the wise leadership of Gen. Paul Malong Awan Anei,” Deng said.
“The renegades are being welcomed by SSUF/A chapter in Khartoum Sudan and awaiting an immediate transportation to SSUF/A military bases across South Sudan,” he said.
Maj. Deng claimed that the officers were equipped with the necessary military expertise and would be of help to their movement.
“The aforementioned comrades who joined SSUF/A, are officers with military skills and whose presence in our mighty SSUF/A movement is absolutely more applausive,” he added.
When asked whether the recent defections to SSUF/A are being motivated by Rome Talks with the government, he claimed it was related to the mission of their movement and the personality of their leader that he claimed to be regardless of tribalism.
“You know this massive defection of many comrades to us, signifies that SSUF/A is an alternative movement for advancing South Sudanese interests,” he claimed.
“And the second thing is that our Chairman and C-in-C, Paul Malong is a very democratic leader whose ego doesn’t work on tribal line, and that qualifies him to be the licensed driver.”
Massive defections
In December 2021, SSUF/A claimed that it had received fifty-nine officers from South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and organized forces.
According to a statement seen by The City Review dated December 13, 2021, SSUF/A said the defected officers joined in two groups led by Machuil Amangdeer Machuil and the latter led by James Manong Mamuor.
Forty-five officers were led by Machuil Amangdeer Machuil and defected from Lakes State South Sudan Defense Forces and Organized forces while fourteen (14) officers defected from SSPDF Division one infantry led by James Manong Mamuor.
“Our movement is proud to welcome the ‘heroic decision’ taken by our like-minded comrades from SSPDF and Organised Forces from Lakes State to join our mighty movement SSUF/A. The group is headed by Machuil Amangdeer Machuil along with 45 well-armed and trained officers, NCOs, and men,” the statement read in part.
“Still on the same note, on behalf of SSUF/A military leadership, allow me to update you on the gigantic news that a group of 14 officers, NCOs and men headed by James Manong Mamuor defected from SSPDF division one infantry and they have switched allegiances to SSUF/A.”
However, attempts to reach the spokesperson for South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) Maj Gen Lul Ruai Koang were futile as his cell phone was unreachable.
Rome talks launch
The government and South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance (SSOMA), started the peace talks in 2019 after the SSOMA refused to sign the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
They claimed the root causes of conflict had not been addressed by the peace agreement which ended in the 2018 peace agreement.
SSOMA signed the 2017 cessation of hostilities agreement in 2020 by signing the declaration of principle agreement that led to the commencement of Rome Peace talks mediated by the Sant’Egidio community.
In April, SSOMA protested negotiations and claimed the government security personnel killed one of their senior officers in Kampala, which was dismissed by the government.
“The quest for inclusive peace and stability in our country remains our priority,” Kiir said.
“In my recent speech to the joint session of parliament, I announced the halt of talks with the holdout groups. We took this decision [in protest of] the killing of innocent civilians on major roads and highways by elements from the South Sudan Movement Alliance (SSOMA). It was not because of our weakness.”
