By Matik Kueth
The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) announced on Saturday that more than 11,000 SPLA-IO soldiers have defected to the SPLM-IG in Jonglei State, a claim the opposition said it has yet to verify.
In a statement, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, SSPDF’s spokesperson, hailed the move as a heroic decision.
He said Maj. Gen. Peter Gatkek Tolchieck, the SPLA-IO commander of Brigade 1, Sector 3 in Nyirol County, defected along with 6,100 officers and other ranks.
Koang noted that Lt. Gen. Keer Kai Geu crossed over with 5,400 members of various organized forces, including 300 personnel from the National Security Service (NSS-ISB) under the command of Col. Malang Yol Rial.
He described the defections as a major victory for stability and national unity in the country.
“SSPDF GHQs-Bilpam warmly welcomes and applauses the bold and heroic decision taken by Maj. Gen. Peter Gatkek Tolchieck for renouncing rebellion and rejoining the government,” Koang said.
The SSPDF spokesperson added that with the move, the SSPDF has “indirectly regained control of Pading headquarters of Nyirol County, Nyambor and Riang.”
However, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, SPLA-IO’s Spokesperson questioned the authenticity of the claims, saying it has received no official confirmation from its field commanders.
“The office of the SPLA-IO Spokesperson will not be making immediate response to the alleged defection news in Jonglei and Western Bahr el Ghazal State by some SPLA-IO officers due to the sensitive nature of the matter,” he stated.
He also stated that there were “no written or recorded statements by officers claimed to have defected to the SSPDF,” stressing that the movement is “conducting consultations and investigations to find out the real truth.”
Recent months have seen a string of defections from SPLA-IO to the SSPDF, as divisions deepen within the opposition movement.
The SPLA-IO, once a unified force under Dr. Riek Machar, has been rocked by internal divisions. Stephen Phar Kuol and his faction in Juba claim their actions aim to safeguard the peace deal, citing Machar’s continued house detention, while several other commanders have broken ranks, pursuing parallel loyalties.
Many defectors have cited leadership wrangles and lack of clear vision as reasons for rejoining the government.
This happens as the SPLA-IO leader Machar, who also serves as the country’s First Vice President, faces a treason trial, further complicating the movement’s cohesion and political direction.