Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Tensions are reportedly high among forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) in South Sudan’s Unity State as senior opposition commanders switch allegiance from the group to the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) there.
This comes a few days after a senior SPLA-IO Commander, Gen. Tito Biel Wich, accused Machar of disrespecting members of the main armed opposition group, and announcing a SPLM-IO Kitgwang-like opposition faction in Unity state to fight for the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.
Speaking to Sudans Post this morning, an opposition source in Unity state said tensions are high in several opposition barracks in the oil-rich state following the defection of General Tit Biel as some of the senior opposition commanders are planning a mass migration to the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces.
“The situation is very tense here in Unity state, Dingding where our forces are being cantoned is good, but our areas in the western parts of the state have tensions because some of our senior colleagues are deciding to side with General Biel and are planning to leave,” the official said.
The senior opposition officer said First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny has ordered the SPLA-IO forces not to fight anyone wishing to join South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, and this, the official said, is to avoid return to conflict or death of civilians in the state.
“We have received orders from His Excellency the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar who is also the chairman and commander in chief of the SPLM-IO that no one should be held against his will including those wishing to join the enemy in Juba,” the officer said.
“This is because we don’t want civilians to be killed again in Unity state, because if we fight, there would be a lot of suffering of our civil population which is still suffering from floods and displacement and the government of President Salva and [Governor] Nguen Manytuil is watching idly,” the officer added.
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