S. Sudan hold-out groups downplay rebel leader’s defection
November 28, 2022 (NAIROBI) – Member organisations in Non-Signatory South Sudan Opposition Group (NSSSOG) and the National Consensus Forum (NCF) say the recent defection of the United Democratic Revolutionary Movement/Army (UDRM/A) leader Thomas Tut Doap to the Juba government would not affect quest for sustainable peace.
Doap resigned from UDRM/A and all positions held by virtue of his leadership position of his organisation, including in South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance (SSOMA).
Emmanual Ajawin, the Secretary General of SSOMA Leadership Council (SSOMA-LC) said an emergency meeting took place on November 26 to discuss the defection of Doap.
“The SSOMA-LC condemns the decision of Thomas Doap to defect to the SPLM-IG as treacherous, a serious breach of trust and a betrayal of the struggle of the people of South Sudan. The decision to surrender to the regime comes at a time when the Opposition is working for holding a roundtable conference of all South Sudanese stakeholder of opposition groups, civil society organizations, faith-based groups, women groups and youth groups to find a lasting solution to the conflict in the country,” said Ajawin.
The Secretary General said SSOMA-LC has suspended with immediate effect the membership and participation of UDRM/A members from all SSOMA related activities.
Meanwhile, the opposition alliance reassures its members, the people of South Sudan and the international community that the organisation would continue to strengthen its structures and systems and come out stronger, despite defection of the UDRM/A leader.
“The defection is an orchestrated ploy to scuttle the work of SSOMA, NSSSOG and NCF in working towards the holding of a roundtable conference to resolve the root causes of the conflict in South Sudan and save the country from disintegration and collapse,” stressed Ajawin.
He said SSOMA is committed towards working to hold a round table conference together with member organisations in NSSSOG and NCF to bring about sustainable peace.
(ST)