Forces loyal to Dr Riek stand under a tree in Jonglei in 2014- BBC photo

The Minister of Information of Unity State says about 1,000 soldiers have defected from the forces loyal to the former Vice-President Dr Riek Machar.

Nyaliep John told Eye Radio from the state capital, Bentiu, that the soldiers have surrendered to the government.

He said these soldiers were misinformed by Dr. Riek Machar that the SPLM/SPLA-in Opposition was going to overthrow the Government of South Sudan and establish a new government.

“…they were convinced wrongly. He told them: ‘Let us go out so we will come with a new government’,” explained Ms Nyaliep.

“When these people failed, they understood automatically those people that they are deceiving them.

“So, they came back and they said that ‘we were not even informed that you are fighting with the government’.

“They felt very sorry and said: ‘We are sorry, these are the guns and we are not going to fight with the government again’. They are like 1,000.”

Madam Nyaleip said the security situation in the state is calm. She added that many people are now returning to their homes, which they deserted because of the crisis.

Eyewitnesses said two weeks ago that thousands of people who fled Bentiu town in January were being joined by residents of Koch, Mayiandit, Leer and Panyijiar counties and that all were fleeing to safe areas.

One NGO worker there told Eye Radio the hostilities were preventing humanitarian agencies from reaching the area with medical supplies and food and that thousands of people in Unity faced severe hunger.