Nov 7, 2017(Nyamilepedia) — The leadership of the SPLA in Opposition has acknowledged the defection of South Sudan army forces, who were loyal to Gen. Paul Malong Awan, the former Chief of General Staff of SPLA.
Speaking on behalf of the SPLM/A-IO leadership, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, the deputy spokesman of the SPLA-IO has confirmed that 150 soldiers under direct command of Lt. Col. Chan Garang Ding Lual have arrived at their stronghold coded as Division 9B under the overall command of Maj. Gen. Benjamin Gore Lojing.
“Lt. Col Lual decided to joint the SPLA IO under leadership of Dr. Riek Machar Teny on 2/11/2017 and is currently with the SPLA IO Sector 8 Acting commander Maj. Gen Benjamin Gore.” Said Col. Lam Paul Gabriel.
SPLA-IO has confirmed the ranks of Lt. Col Chan and said he was an active operation commander in Torit until his defection.
“Lt. Chan Garang Lual was an active operation commander in Torit under the rogue regime until the 26/10/2017 when he marched out of Juba with about 150 well armed soldiers.”Said Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, the deputy spokesman of SPLA-IO.
“Lt. Col. Lual blamed the government of Juba for using soldiers to defend their selfish interest rather than the national interest something that he does not want to continue obeying.” Lam continued.
 Lt. Col Lual is calling on his former comrades who are still in the government to join him under the leadership of Dr Riek Machar Teny in order to topple Kiir’s regime.
“I call on all SPLA soldiers who are truely patriotic and have South Sudan in their hearts to join hands with SPLA-IO in order to remove the genocidal regime of Salva Kiir Mayardit” Said Lt. Col Chan Garang Ding Lual in a statement extended to Nyamilepedia Press.
Chan and his group have appointed Emmanuel Ajang Ajang to be their spokesman and first contact for all media related inquiries.
The leadership of SPLA-IO commends Lt. Col. Lual for his bold decision and calls on other patriotic soldiers to rethink their current positions in this conflict.
“The SPLA IO appreciates Lt. Col Lual for his bold decision to become a real defender of Freedom, Justice and equality under the able leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny.” Col. Lam said.
“We are calling upon any patriotic soldier under Juba regime to choose the side of the people not the corrupt individuals in Juba who are using them to defend their selfish interest.”He continued.
In other reports, situation in Juba remains tense as government troops continue to lock down Gen. Paul Malong’s residence while putting checkpoints at random in the city to limit access to strategic areas like Amarat.
