Mass Defection Hits South Sudan Parliament!

Government Rocked by Mass Defection of MPs and Key Army Officer

June 09, 2014(Nyamilepedia) — In a report released through the office of military spokesperson for SPLA in Opposition, Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang reports that a total of 18 members of parliament have defected the government and joined the SPLM under the leadership of Dr. Riek Machar Teny, in Nairobi.

Brig. Gen. Lul states that “it is the biggest mass defection” since the conflict broker up in December, 2013.

“The faltering government of Kiir has suffered its biggest mass defection of members of parliament from the National Legislative Assembly and Council of States since the conflict began six months ago.” Brig. Gen. Lul said.

Lul believes that the Juba government is crumbling as signifies by the constant resignations and defections of senior politicians and commanding generals in the army.

“In a move that clearly indicated that Salva’s regime is crumbling from within, a record of 18 MPs defected on a single day to SPLM/SPLA (Opposition) under able and visionary leadership of former Vice President Dr. Riek Machar. On the same day 7th June, 2014, Maj. Teah Gatjiek Wich PSC (K) announced his defection to people’s resistance movement hours after graduating from the prestigious Defense Staff College at Karen in Nairobi, Kenya.” Brig. Gen. Lul continues.

Last week Dr. Adwok Nyaba, Dr. Francis Nazario, Gen. Dau Aturjong and other MPs resigned and defected to the Opposition. Dr. Adwok, however, remains under house arrest in Juba. His passport and other official documents have been confiscated by the government forces in Juba.

Like other politicians who have resigned or defected, majority of the 18 MPs have cited the following reasons:

1. Poor governance.
2. Rampant corruption.
3. Tribal domination of the government institutions
4. Bad foreign relations and poor diplomatic image.
5. Gross violation of human rights
6. Gross violations of constitutional rights
7. Insecurity
8. Tribal recruitment of militias
9. Mass killings of civilians

Maj. Teah reiterates that Juba does not have an army to join, claiming that the government had to hire the foreign forces to defend its important installations.

“He further said that Kiir had no faith in the national army as shown by hiring of marcenaries from Ugandan, JEM, SPLA-North and by recruiting private army entirely drawn from his tribesmen in Warrap and Northern Bahr El Ghazal States.” Lul reported.

Majority of the MPs who joined the armed opposition, through a press conference in Nairobi, are reportedly from the Greater Equatoria and Greater Upper Nile regions. MPs from Greater Bahr el Ghazal region have joined the oppositions with Gen. Dau Aturjong, last week.

According to Dr. Richard K. Mulla, who addressed the media in Nairobi, Kenya, “more MPs will follow suit”. Other MPs in the conferences include Dr Kuong Dak and Mrs. Nyalok Tiong for Mayandiit county.

In January, the South Sudan parliament has reported that nearly 70% of the army defected the government, however, more defections have continued since then.

In other reports, loyal forces are abandoning their defense positions in Upper Nile, Jonglei and Unity states. While some cite the onset of heavy rains other cite lack of supplies and lack of commitment from the politicians to sign and implement peace agreements.

Heavy fighting broke out in Juba in mid December and continued to date. Major towns like Bentiu, Bor and Malakal have exchanged hands in more than two occasions.

Related stories:

Government Troops and Allies Abandoned Positions, SPLA Fills in Security Vacuum 

SPLA Defactors Leaked Reports After Abandoning Their Position in Nasir!

Press Statement by Duer Tut Duer Makuac

Dr. Adwok Nyaba Resigns From South Sudan’s Ruling Party, SPLM!

Senior Generals And Politicians From Greater Barh el Ghazal Region Join South Sudan’s Dr. Machar