BILPAM – South Sudan army spokesperson claimed on Saturday that 11,000 SPLA-IO soldiers have switched allegiance to the SSPDF in Nyirol County, Jonglei State.
Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said the forces include 6,100 under the command of Maj. Gen. Gatkek Tolchiek and over 5,400 under the command of Lt. Gen. Keer Kai.
“SSPDF GHQs-Bilpam warmly welcomes and applauses bold and heroic decision taken by Maj. Gen. Peter Gatkek Tolchieck, SPLA-IO commander of BDE 1, Sector 3, Nyirol County, Jonglei State for renouncing rebellion and rejoining Government/ SSPDF,” Lul announced in a statement on social media.
Juba Witness could not independently verify the allegations. The alleged defection follows a similar announced early this month by Ayod County’s notorious spiritual leader Makuach Tut that he had joined the government.
Lul said 5,400 SPLA-IO troops led by Lt. Gen. Keer including members of the Police Service, Prison and Wildlife Services, and 300 National Security Service personnel under the command of col. Malang Yol Rial switched to Kiir’s camp.
He said the declaration was made in Pul-Turuk village, Pul Turuk Payam, Nyirol County, Jonglei State.
Lul said with the defection, SSPDF has indirectly regained control of Pading Hqs of Nyirol County, Nyambor and Riang.
