S. Sudan army expresses concern over defections in W. Equatoria
January 30, 2015 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese army (SPLA) on Friday regretted defection of several officers in its western Equatoria state, warning the new development could undermine economic activities.
Manyang said he transferred Major Losuba Lodoru, an SPLA officer who recently defected and formed a new rebel movement, from the directorate of policy, planning and research to become director for administration in his office.
“I have always admired him for not just being one of the well-mannered officers but one of the officers we have trained to the international standard because through junior officers like him, the ministry of defense was hoping to use their skills and knowledge in the transformation of the SPLA forces in a professional army,” said Manyang.
“He was one of those officers we sent out on the government scholarship,” he added.
The minister said records at the defense ministry shows the defected officer holds a Master of Arts Degree from University of Liverpool and his rebellion could undermine economic activities with neigbouring countries of Uganda and the Democratic of Congo (DRC) if he takes advantage of his knowledge of the triangle region straddling Uganda to the south of Juba and the DRC to the south west.
A senior military officer said Losuba was “unhappy with the system especially the way things to do with defence were being handled by the command and government”.
“He was one of the young officers I used to go out with over weekend so that I understand and help them stand the pressure because in the army, you must be a strong hearted person to withstand the difficulties, otherwise you will quit before reaching our rank as a Major General or general. It requires patience and discipline because there are no two languages in the military. There is only one language of command and execution,” said the officer who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“It is all about respecting orders and instructions. Respecting orders and instructions is one of the core military doctrines and forms the basis of professional army all over the world,” he added.
Losuba who hails from Morobo county in South Sudan’s Central state was reportedly very instrumental in assisting the government’s as it successfully defused a Congolese rebellion of ethnic Kakwa in 2012.
The South Sudanese government on Thursday acknowledged the formation in its Western Equatoria state of a new rebel movement, separate from the current armed opposition faction led by the country’s former vice-president, Riek Machar.
“We received reports that such a thing has occurred. Some soldiers have decided to go with Major Lasuba Lodoru Wongo. He was the director for research at the ministry of defence,” a cabinet minister from Western Equatoria state told Sudan Tribune.
“Until now, we don’t know the exact number of soldiers who have gone with him but what I hear is that about 100 to 200 soldiers are not with their units in Maridi town,” added the minister.
A group, calling itself Revolutionary Movement for National Salvation (REMNASA), claimed it launched a “successful” attack on security forces in Maridi county on Tuesday, “killing six soldiers and wounding many others”. They also took arms and ammunition.
(ST)