Top SPLA-IO commander, troops abandon Machar in Jonglei

Top SPLA-IO commander, troops abandon Machar in Jonglei

JUBA – A senior South Sudan main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) has declared his intention to join the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) under President Salva Kiir Mayardit accusing First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny of using the people of his area in Jonglei for the sole purpose of achieving personal gains.

In a statement, Major General Michael Dak Riek of the SPLA-IO division in Jonglei state’s Phow, said he has defected along with a group of more than one-thousand (1000) soldiers and accused First Vice President Machar of deceiving his colleagues and his people in Ayod County.

“The group comprise of more than thousand troops, high-ranking political elites, military generals, officers, NCOs and men who play a great political role in Ayod County and South Sudan at large. The declaration involves chiefs, leaders of which white army and member of the community,” Dak said in a statement seen by Sudans Post.

Gen. Dak claimed that Machar has turned the movement into family enterprise.

“He (Machar) is used to deception politics of giving empty promises to his subordinate to fight his wars while he has already prepared his relatives for political positions to be appointed once his will is realized,” Dak said.

He accused the movement leader of not properly running the armed movement.

“He owned the party into family or personal enterprise, because all the governance decision is made by his close relatives and not the party political bureau,” he said.

The SPLA-IO commander alleged the opposition chairman has caused troubles within the movement.

“He (Machar) has planted deep rooted hatred and tribalism among tribes of South Sudan and the Nuer community in particular have become victims and vulnerable of his fail ideologies and personal interest,” he said.