By Baraka John
A former officer of the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) who had also been serving under the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) has defected to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) in Western Equatoria State, citing disillusionment with the opposition movement.
Maj. Badur Emmanuel Dominic Dismo announced his defection in a declaration letter dated March 10, 2026, addressed to the Acting Commander of SSPDF Division Six in Yambio.
Before returning to the national army, Maj. Badur had served with CTSAMVM under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as a representative of SPLA-IO. He said his decision to abandon the opposition movement followed growing concerns over the conduct of some of its forces.
The officer accused certain opposition elements of committing abuses against civilians.
According to Maj. Badur, such actions contradict the principles of peace, civilian protection, and respect for human rights that he learned during his six years working with the regional ceasefire monitoring body.
“The vision and mission of the SPLA-IO are no longer clear or convincing to me,” Dismo wrote. “For this reason, I have decided to return to my former national army, the SSPDF, so that I can serve my country with loyalty.”
The SSPDF Commander in Western Equatoria State, Bior Kuir Deng, welcomed the move and encouraged other officers to rejoin the national army in support of peace and unity.
“We would like to affirm and welcome our colleague Badur for the courageous decision he has made to rejoin the mother unit,” Deng said. “I have known Major Badur since 2004, when I was in China, and he attended a course there. I have known him to be a committed officer.”
Meanwhile, the Governor of Western Equatoria State, Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa, also welcomed the defection, emphasizing the state government’s commitment to peace, dialogue, and reconciliation.
“We are for peace and dialogue, and we want this country to move forward in the spirit of peace and love,” the governor said. “I don’t want young people to remain in the bush and destroy their lives there.”
Armed forces defection in South Sudan has been a persistent feature of its turbulent history, rooted in political power struggles, ethnic divisions, and a “payroll peace” system.
Since gaining independence in 2011, shifting allegiances between the SPLA (government) and various opposition factions (SPLM/A-IO) have fueled civil war, instability, and humanitarian crises.