Sep 26, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — A senior SPLA-IO general, Maj. Gen. Moses Lokujo, who defected to the SSPDF, formerly SPLA-IG, on Monday this week was allegedly brought to Juba for the purpose of investigation.
According to a statement that was released to the media by the Deputy Military Spokesperson of the SPLA-IO, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, the defected general was summoned to come to Juba to answer for the death of three SPLA-IO officers who were murdered under his command.
“On 21/09/2020, the SPLA-IO sighted the resignation and declaration of defection letter from Maj. Gen. Moses Lokujo on social media.” Col. Lam Paul Gabriel wrote in a military press release,
“His defection to the SSPDF came when he was brought to Juba for investigation on the alleged murder of three (3) SPLA-IO officers which took place on 10/05/2020.” Lam further said.
The SPLA-IO leadership concludes that his defection is an admission of guilt as opposed to the claims he is making against the SPLA/M-IO.
“His defections is not only an acceptance of guilt but also a way to avoid justice, and has no link to the accusations and negative propaganda he labelled against the SPLA-IO and its leadership.” The SPLA-IO Statement further added.
The SPLA-IO accused the defected general of having abducted local chiefs and village elders this morning in Bori and brought them to Juba to support his defection.
“This morning the 26/09/2020, Maj. Gen. Moses Lokujo abducted local chiefs and community leaders from SPLA-IO controlled areas who came to him in Bori yesterday 25/09/2020 on peace mission to maintain stability in the area and avoid clashes.” The Deputy army spokesman further said.
“He then brought them to Juba to support his defection; this is both a violation of the R-ARCSS and a criminal act committed against those innocent civilians.” He continued.
Lam added that the SPLA-IO calls on the CTSAMVM and UNMISS to investigate “these criminal act and make those responsible to account”
“The SPLA-IO remains committed to the implementation of the Security Arrangements in particular and the R-ARCSS in general.” He concludes.
South Sudan’s national army splitted into two major blocks under President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar when the civil war broke out in December 2013.
Since then the two sides have massively recruited and trained hundreds of thousands of troops and promoted hundreds to very high ranks.
The two sides have been swapping generals through these endless defections as some try to better their gains and others try to escape justice.
For the last seven years war has been one of the predominant employer for the men and women in uniform who are hunting for ranks, favors, popularity and basic incomes.
Although hundreds of thousands have died in the conflicts, and the military is exhausted of war, many people in South Sudan still see military as a highly marketable career to secure some of the white collar jobs in the country.
