July 28th 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – A senior South Sudan army general has defected and joined the main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, led by the country’s former First Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, sources close to him said Sunday.
One source told the Nyamilepedia from Nasir that General Lam Tut Gatkuoth who is the operation commander for South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in the area defected on Saturday and decided to join the main armed opposition group led by Machar.
The source claimed that General Lam defected from Wechyaradiu base to Mandeng, a SPLA-IO controlled area in Nasir, with around 300 troops, two Lieutenant Colonels and one captain.
“General Lam [Tut Gatkuoth] defected last night with 300 men, two Lieutenant colonels and one captain,” the source said from Nasir on Sunday.
“He left Wechyaradiu on Saturday night and crossed to Mandeng,” the source added without giving more details.
Army spokesman General Lul Ruai Koang did not respond to an email inquiring on the matter.
