Former militia General reunites with South Sudan army

June 28, 2015 (KAMPALA) – A former militia general who fought alongside Khartoum in Sudan’s over two decade war has defected to the South Sudanese army (SPLA).

Tut Kew, an advisor to president Salva Kiir, told Sudan Tribune, they successfully managed to persuad Gen. Yoach to switch sides in support of the Juba government.

The official’s defection, Yew said, was a big blow to the armed opposition led by former vice-president Riek Machar whose forces have been fighting government since 2013.

“Yes, Gen. Yoach is not longer with rebels of Riek Machar. He is now confirmed his allegiance to president Salva Kiir,” he said over phone on Saturday.

REBEL DOWNPLAY DEFECTION

But Major Puok Baluang, a press officer in the office of the rebel-appointed governor in Unity state, described Yoach’s defection, as ‘insignificant” to the armed opposition struggle.

“This is an individual defection, it has nothing to do with our struggle. We have no regret for his joining pro-government forces,” he added.

Yoach who hails from Rubkotna county in the heart of state capital Bentiu, was a junior officer who fought alongside Gen. Paulino Matip Nhial during Susan’s civil war. Their forces used to control the largest oil fields in South Sudan’s Unity state.

This is not the first time individuals from rebels group surrendered to government. In March this year, the rebel’s spokesperson, Lul Ruay Koang defected to the government.

But the armed opposition leadership has repeatedly downplayed such defections, saying it had no bearing on the armed opposition struggle to bring change to the whole country.

(ST)