SPLM-IO defectors in Lakes State. (-)

The former deputy governor of Lakes State said he resigned from the SPLM-IO and joined the SPLM party with 17 politicians in the state.

Poth Madit Dut said the defecting SPLM IO leaders include members of the party’s National Liberation Council, state ministers and legislators among.

Speaking during a press conference in Rumbek on Thursday, Madit claimed that the number of SPLM-IO defectors in the state is increasing.

“I can confirm that I have other colleagues who were members of SPLM-IO in Lake State, we have resigned from the party and joined SPLM-IG,” he said.

“The list is growing but up to the point of the declarations, I have 17 leaders from the Lake state on the list from various categories ranging from members of the National Liberation Council and national members of parliament.”

He said those who defected include the state Minister of Peacebuilding, Minister of Animal Resources and Tourism, and the Minister of Rural Development.

“We have two chairs and an independent commission 12 members of the assembly chief whip and two chairpersons standing this is specialized alongside us.”

Madit alleged that he and his colleagues joined the opposition party in believe of reform agenda, which he said is not the reality.

“When we joined SPLM-IO we were attracted by the commonly known slogan of a reform agenda for the country. So, we thought that the country had an alternative political organization that would in a better way live after the expectations and aspiration of the people.”

“So, we went there as politicians thinking this is a better political organization much better than SPLM and during our three or four years of experience with SPLM-IO, we learnt that what took us there is just only on paper.”

Political and military defection is discouraged in the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.

In December 2023, the National Minister of Information said the government discourages military defections but that it cannot turn away defectors returning to the SSPDF as this could trigger another rebellion.

Michael Makuei said if the government rejects those who want to join the government, they may also establish another rebel group, which, according to him, is not good for the sake of peace.

When contacted by Eye Radio, Gai Mayen Luk, a member of the SPLM-IO Political Bureau confirmed the defection, which he said is not a new phenomenon in the country.

Mayen alleged that the defected individuals have been lured with money to weaken the opposition group.

“Yes, it’s true some members of IO in Lake State defected from the party including members of the state assembly and state ministries. Defection is not new in our political environment in South Sudan.”

“Defection is happening according to the interest of the individual. Also, the other party is using resources to facilitate the defection of the individual special from SPLM-IO to weaken the opposition specially the IO.”