Dec 26, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — A senior military general has defected from President Salva Kiir’s military camp to the military camp of the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, on Christmas Eve citing lack of political will from the SPLM-IG to implement the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
Announcing his defection on December 25th, 2020, Brigadier General Samuel Machuol Nguen, said given the lack of political will “exhibited by the SPLM-IG”, the SPLA in Opposition remains the only viable option to change the current situation in the country.
“I would like to inform the general public that I Brigadier Gen Samuel Machuol Nguen as of today 25/12/2020 do hereby declare my defection from the SPLM-IG to SPLM-IO” Brig. Gen. Samuel Machuol Nguen said.
“The reason for my defection was due to the lack of political will exhibited by SPLM-IG to implement the agreement” He added.
Brig. Gen. Machuol stressed that he is joining the SPLM/A-IO so that he can be part of the change that the South Sudanese people are yawning for.
“The SPLM-IO remains the only hope and the engine of change for the people of South Sudan. Therefore I decided to join them and be part of change the people of South Sudan need” Brig. Gen. Machuel said.
Machuol served in the JTSC in Upper Nile and also served as a supervisor of Kaljak Unified Police Training Center in Unity State.
South Sudanese military, police and security officers have been defecting back and forth between the main rival parties and this could continue until the forces are fully unified.
