By Baraka John
Torosa Elias Toro, the Deputy Commissioner for the Revenue Commission in Western Equatoria State, has rejoined the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement party (SPLM) after nearly two years of defection to the SPLM-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO). His return, along with other key SPLM-IO officials, was announced on Thursday, marking a mass defection that signals a shift in the political landscape of Western Equatoria State.
Mr. Toro had initially defected from the SPLM to SPLM-IO in October 2023, a move that had stirred political discussions within Western Equatoria. Before his defection, he had served as the chairperson for the SPLM Youth League in the state. However, on Thursday, he and several other prominent figures from the SPLM-IO made the decision to return to their former political home.
Torosa Elias Toro, the Deputy Commissioner for the Revenue Commission in Western Equatoria State
Among the defectors were high-profile individuals such as Lino Fataki, the Nzara County Commissioner, John Singira, the Mayor of Yambio Municipality, and John Nabazia, an SPLM-IO Member of Parliament at the Western Equatoria Transitional Legislative Assembly along four others.
In a media address following the defections, Acting State Governor Daniel Badagbu welcomed the returning officials, praising their decision as a step towards the former SPLM party members.
“I am so happy with your message that, when you saw that where you were before it was going to the bloodshed, you decided to say no to the bloodshed of your people. You have come back for peace and I have admitted you wholeheartedly to the SPLM”. Badagbu asserted
Lino Fataki, formerly the SPLM-IO Chairperson for Nzara County, expressed his gratitude for the warm reception he received upon his return. He emphasized his commitment to working towards lasting peace in the region, noting that his decision was motivated by a strong desire to contribute to stability and unity.
“The SPLM cadres in Yambio have warmly welcomed us, what we want is collaboration amongst us for the SPLM to be a strongest political party, and move ahead, because SPLM is the mother party in South Sudan”. Lino disclosed
John Singira, who previously served as the SPLM-IO Chairperson for Yambio County and now holds the position of Mayor of Yambio, also acknowledged the SPLM party for accepting his return. Singira committed to fostering peace and working with all stakeholders to achieve development goals for the county, expressing optimism about future cooperation.
Torosa Elias, the Deputy Commissioner for the Western Equatoria State Revenue Authority, elaborated on his decision to rejoin the SPLM. He said that his belief in the SPLM’s vision for peace and stability, as well as the party’s leadership, played a crucial role in his return. Elias expressed confidence that the party’s direction would guide the state toward prosperity.
Torosa Elias Toro, the Deputy Commissioner for the Revenue Commission in Western Equatoria State,
“I have today officially rejoin SPLM party in Western Equatoria State Yambio County. I have been in SPLM –IO, and in the government I am the deputy commissioner for the state revenue authority. The purpose for us to join SPLM today, we have realized that the vision of SPLM –IO in Western Equatoria is towards bloodshed, and we have come to join our mother party SPLM so that we can forge way for peace”. Toro stated
This defection comes shortly after military development in South Sudan. On April 2, David John Kumuri, spokesperson for South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS), confirmed the defection of 604 SPLA-IO personnel to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF). Kumuri stated that their reintegration into the SSPDF was crucial for maintaining stability in the country.