Former government chief whip, Banguot Amum, has broken away from the SPLM in Opposition and returned to Juba.

She arrived yesterday after the death of her father, Amum Okech.

The Acting Secretary General of the SPLM, Dr Anne Itto, says Ms Banguot came in response to a presidential amnesty issued last month.

“She may have continued to Malakal where her father died and is going to be buried. But also she returned because of her disappointment in the direction that the rebels are taking,” Dr Itto said.

Last week, the President declared a general amnesty for all the forces fighting the Government.

The order was read on South Sudan Television on Tuesday and confirmed at a press conference by acting SPLM secretary general Ann Itto on Wednesday.

Ms Banguot says more than 20 members of the SPLM in Opposition have returned to Juba since the president issued the amnesty.

The first was led by Lul Ruai Koang, the leader of the South Sudan Resistance Movement. The SPLM in Opposition said Lul’s return was premature.

Six others led by Dr Daniel Thabo also arrived in Juba last week.