Defection Claims Stir Juba
The capital woke to dramatic headlines after SSPDF spokesman Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang announced that over 11,000 opposition fighters had crossed the aisle, pledging loyalty to President Salva Kiir during a ceremony in Pul-Turuk village on 25 October.
SPLA-IO Voices Caution
Col. Lam Paul Gabriel urged restraint, labeling the reports “sensitive” and declining immediate comment. “We are consulting and investigating to find out the real truth,” he told reporters, noting that no signed statements of departure had reached the movement’s headquarters.
SSPDF Details Ceremony
Ruai cited Brigade 1 commander Maj. Gen. Peter Gatkek Tolchieck, who allegedly arrived with 6,100 soldiers, and Lt. Gen. Keer Kai Geu, said to have brought 5,400 personnel from police, prisons, wildlife and security bureaus.
Numbers Under Investigation
Opposition officials stress that tallies remain unverified. Military analysts in Juba caution that previous defection claims often blended deserters, retirees and civilians, inflating headlines while the frontlines barely shifted.
Strategic Stakes in Jonglei
If Tolchieck’s move is confirmed, SPLA-IO risks losing its Pading headquarters and adjacent sites of Nyambor and Riang, weakening leverage in oil-rich Jonglei’s delicate security map.
Peace Process at a Crossroads
Both camps publicly reaffirm commitment to the 2018 revitalised peace deal, yet Saturday’s drama underscores the fragility of military integration talks. Observers say swift verification could prevent a narrative spiral and keep negotiations on track.