Peter Lam Both refuted claims by the SPLM-IO that the party is encouraging defection.

In a statement seen by Eye Radio, Peter Lam Both said those defecting were frustrated by the way their leader in Juba has been managing their affairs.

“We have been saying that the war in South Sudan is a war for power-sharing. If some leaders don’t see themselves in their party as getting lucrative political positions, they defect and join another group in protest to the decision of their party leader. Some members of these forces were frustrated by the way their leader in Juba has been managing their affairs,” the statement partly reads.

“The reality is that Dr. Machar and his supporters know that he is not in full control of his forces. It is not that they are paid to defect. No one can purchase the whole movement even if funds are available.

“In Upper Nile state, there have been constant defections of individuals and groups since 2015. Now that people have seen Dr. Riek and Salva Kiir serving in the same government, people feel deceived that they fought for what was not the real cause of war. For such reasons, mass defections from various counties of Upper Nile state followed.”

Both added that the SPLM is calling on all the parties signatory to R-ARCSS to remain true and committed to the peaceful conclusion of this peace agreement.

A number of high ranking SPLM-IO officials have been switching sides both from the military and the political wing.

A moved the SPLM.IO accused their peace partner the SPLM for luring their member in exchange of money.

Last month Twenty-four former members of the SPLM-IO have accused their leader, Dr. Riek Machar, of playing egocentric and “deceptive politics

Maj. Gen. Michael Dak Riek, the former security advisor of the defunct Phou State, claimed that Dr. Machar let down junior officers and failed to live up to his promises by abandoning his fighters after securing his seat.

Prior to that, other prominent big wigs in the opposition military wing switched allegiance to President Kiir SPLM party and the SSPDF.

This includes Major General James Nando Mark, the SPLA-IO division commander in Western Equatoria, Lieutenant General James Koang Chuol Ranley—a former armed opposition deputy chief of General Staff and Maj. Gen. Moses Lokjuo.

Others are Maj Gen. James Kor Chuol Giet, who was commander of Division 5 defected from SPLM/A-IO in Malual Gahoth payam, General Simon Gatwech Dual and General Johnson Olony.