Africa

Isatu Harrison was just 11 when she fled her home in Sierra Leone during the civil war - now she has her own fashion label in London.

Gambia's president hits out at foreign interference and refuses to leave until May's electoral ruling.

A Nigerian governor accuses aid agencies of "profiting" from the aftermath of the Boko Haram crisis.

January 10, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The foreign ministry in Khartoum said the Sudanese national who had been charged with sexual abuse and forcible touching by the police in New York is not a member of the diplomatic staff of its mission to the United Nations.

The Sudanese foreign ministry was reacting to press reports that New York Police arrested a Sudanese diplomat and charged him with sexually rubbing up against a woman in the Subway on Monday.

However, the charge were dropped and he was freed because of his diplomatic immunity on Tuesday, the police said.

"The accused is a member of support staff of the Permanent Mission and not a diplomatic staff member. He was surprised by the complaint filed against him and has no knowledge of the complainant," said a statement issued by the Sudanese foreign ministry late on Tuesday night.

Investigation by the Permanent Mission showed that no criminal case has been initiated against the accused, the statement further said.

New York Police Department (NYPD) spokesperson Arlene Muniz told Reuters they had informed the State Department of the complaint filed by the woman and it may complain to the Sudanese government.

Also, State Department spokesman Mark Toner stated they are in touch with the NYPD and the mayor's office so that "we are able to take appropriate steps, as needed, to address this matter".

The Sudanese foreign ministry said they are in contact with the relevant authorities through the U.S. Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

The NYPD told Reuters that the Sudanese national who is identified as Mohammad Abdalla Ali, 49, was riding a train out of the city's Grand Central Terminal on Monday afternoon when he approached a 38-year-old woman from behind and rubbed his crotch against her.

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January 9, 2017 (YAMBIO) – At least 25 administrative officials drawn from six counties in Gbudue, one of South Sudan's newly-created states have completed three weeks of intensive training on their job.

The map of Western Equatoria in red

The acting state governor, Victor Edward Kpiawandu urged the new graduates to be a bridge between the government and the communities at all levels to implement government policies, accordingly.

The administrative officials, he said, will be deployed in the newly-created counties of Gbudue state.

After the creation of the 28 new states, most of the few administrators went to their respective states in Western Equatoria state, creating gaps in over 10 created new counties and payams,” said the governor.

He cautioned the officials to desist from politics and embark on administrative issues and development of their departments where they would be deployed, adding that they should work hand in hand with their commissioners and should not undermine orders given by top government officials.

The minister of local government and law enforcement in Gbudue state, Jackson Ezekiel said, training of the new and old local government administrators was a project initiated before state was created and the training could not take place due to lack of resources and insecurity in the state.

He stressed the importance of the local administrative officials they are the machine of the government to implement all policies and development at grass root levels to deliver service to the community.

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January 10, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan government now says it will not accept the deployment of regional protection forces, claiming the country's security situation has improved.

South Sudan's defence minister, Kuol Manyang Juuk, pictured following a cabinet meeting in Juba on 17 January 2014 (Photo: Reuters/Andreea Campeanu)

In an interview with Sudan Tribune, the presidential advisor on security affairs, Tut Gatluak questioned whether it was still necessity to send regional protection forces.

“They were talking about security but now security situation has improved. Juba is safe and everyone is the witness. The Christmas and New Year celebrations went well, now you can move freely because security situation has improved. The national dialogue has been launched and the agreement is being implemented," said Gatluak.

The cantonment sites for SPLA-IO forces have been agreed and directives have been given for them to move into these area. Everything is moving well”, he added.

South Sudan's defence minister, Kuol Manyang Juuk equally dismissed claims that fighting still existed in Juba hence the need to justify deployment of the protection force.

“We acknowledge that there are problems in South Sudan and it is our duty as government to resolve these challenges," Juuk told a social gathering held in Juba.

He accused the United Nations of compiling reports from individuals in order to justify calls for the deployment of the regional protection force and to back up other voices.

Juuk rejected demands for revival of the peace accord, calling upon the international community to support the unity government to help restore peace and stability in the country.

“There are individuals now calling for renegotiation on the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. This is interference with another country's sovereignty, and we totally reject that, I also call upon South Sudanese citizens to reject this. We are not toys, but a nation, “ he stressed.

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SPLM-N Secretary General speaking at the Eldorado Book center in Oslo, Norway, on 10 January 2017 (ST)

January 10, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) Tuesday denied that arrangements are underway to hold a meeting between the government and the armed groups in Paris or elsewhere in Europe accusing Khartoum of seeking to impede unity of the opposition forces.

On Monday, Sudan's Information Minister Ahmed Balal Osman disclosed an American initiative to hold a meeting between his government and the armed groups in France this week.

He told reporters that the informal consultations meeting may take place on 15-16 January in Paris.

However, SPLM-N Secretary General Yasser Arman on Tuesday told Sudan Tribune that there are no arrangements to hold such a meeting on 15 or 20 January, stressing they wouldn't engage in any political talks with the government.

He renewed his movement's declared position that it would only engage in talks on humanitarian issues, reiterating the SPLM-N refusal to resume political talks.

“We know that President Mbeki would address the African Union Peace and Security Council and we have nothing to do with that [because] these arrangements pertain to the African Union,” he said.

He criticized Sudan's Information Minister, saying “he doesn't have information even about what his own government is doing”.

Last August, Sudanese government and armed groups in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states failed to reach two agreements on cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access, seen as important step before to engage in political talks ahead of an inclusive constitutional conference.

The armed movements involved in the African Union mediated negotiations are the SPLM-N, Sudan Liberation Movement–Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM), Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

CLASHES IN BLUE NILE

Meanwhile, Arman pointed to the government attack against SPLM-N positions in the Blue Nile state, saying “clashes still ongoing in the area”.

On Monday, SPLM-N accused the Sudanese government forces of attacking its positions in the Blue Nile State.

“Today 9th of Jan 2017 at 6:00 am, National congress party (NCP) forces and militias in Blue Nile region attacked SPLM/N controlled area of Arum,” said Arnu Nugultu Lodi, the SPLM-N spokesperson on Monday.

Last June, Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir declared a four-month unilateral cessation of hostilities in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan states. On December 31st he extended of the ceasefire for one month.

Also, SPLM-N, SLM-MM and JEM in October 2016 extended for six months the unilateral cessation of hostilities in Darfur, Blue Nile and south Kordofan they declared in October 2015 and April of this year.

The Sudanese army has been fighting the SPLM-N rebels in Blue Nile and South Kordofan, also known as “Two Areas” since 2011 and a group of armed movements in Darfur since 2003.

MEETING WITH BRITISH OFFICIALS

In a related context, Arman pointed to recent statements by the British Ambassador to Khartoum Michael Aron about the recent meetings between his government and the SPLM-N.

Speaking to the press in the capital of South Darfur Nyala, Aron Monday said that his government last week in a meeting held in London had discussed the Roadmap Agreement implementation with the SPLM-N Secretary General, adding that Sudanese people would hear good news soon.

Arman said the meeting with the British officials discussed the American humanitarian initiative laid out by the US Special Envoy Donald Booth last November, pointing they received the initiative in December and would respond to it on January 13.

“We are ready to meet with the American and British officials and we wouldn't meet with the [Sudanese] government and this is what we said to the British and American governments and we will say it to the Norway government in our meeting with it today” he said.

UNITY OF OPPOSITION

The rebel leader renewed his movement's call to unify the opposition forces and escalate the mass action to topple the regime, saying the regime is not keen to reach peace and democratic transformation through dialogue.

“We would press ahead with the [implementation] of the programme to unify the opposition … the regime is ruined and bankrupt and the Sudanese people must get ready to overthrow it and shouldn't expect any solutions from al-Bashir and his regime” he said

It is noteworthy that the Leadership Council of the opposition umbrella Sudan Call would meet from 15 to 20 January. Also, contacts are ongoing to unify the two factions of the rebel umbrella Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF).

Also, the SPLM-N recently held meetings with the Broad National Front (BNF) and the Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) within the framework of establishing a unified center for the opposition to topple the regime.

Appointment of Gen. Gregory (Kiir's in-law)

By Simon Yel Yel

It was on Tuesday, the 3rd of January, the first work day of 2017 when President Salva Kiir Mayardit inked the polemical appointment of Gen. Gregory Deng at J1. It was exactly the third day of the New Year and the New Year's wishes were still fresh in everyone's mind. With that appointment, President has controversially coloured the wishes of the New Year.

For some in Gogrial state (Pres. Kiir's own state) who thought that 2016 was not fair to them economically and politically because of former governor Gum being in power, and they were wishing the New Year to come with many desirable items on its menu ranging from political to economical, I want to say congratulations!
President Kiir has served you with Gen. Gregory on gubernatorial plate as your best New Year wish on the 2017 political menu.

Maburuk! to those who tie their political fortunes to the political success of Gen. Gregory that, please, enjoy but don't forget that there are many challenges lying ahead there and if you don't work hard to maintain this seat by delivering what is expected of you to the people of Gogrial state, then be mindful what brought Gregory may take him away any time.

To those who are mourning the removal of Gum and thinking that it is the their end and a bad kick start of 2017, I want to tell them that, be strong, “PINY ATOU ALONG DET”… President Gives and President Takes!

Arguably, the appointment of Gen. Gregory as a governor for President's home state has glimmered a lot of debate on social media. The appointment did not only draw mixed reactions from Gogrial state natives but throughout the country with some SPLM politicians, writers and analysts defining it in their own terms.

“I disagree sharply with the President's decision to appoint his brother-in-law as the governor of Gogrial state. This decision is against the SPLM principle of equality and Justice; it is a clear sign of bad governance because this post is electable and any appointment can't be done based on marital/social or any similar blood/favoritisms relations,” blasts Suzanne Jambo, former SPLM secretary for external affairs (now a opponent of the president).

Meanwhile, Agel Riing Machar, a senior member of SPLA-IO (Vice-president Taban's faction) Military Council and a former youth leader, chipped in: “The debate should focus on his capability and track records rather than his relationship with the President. He is an excellence choice for the portfolio. The people of Gogrial state can benefit from his connections and influence at the National level as well as regionally and internationally in areas of business and governance.”

To define this appointment based on South Sudanese standard, there is no way that it would fit in any description rather than “nepotism” given the way we view things with our tribal or communal/sectional lenses where one's relationship with an employer always triumphs one's capability.

However, to define this appointment based on law, it is on “meritocracy.”
In America, when President John F. Kennedy appointed his younger brother, Robert, as an attorney General, some media pundits and analysts described the appointment as based on nepotism rather than on merits.

Robert Francis was argued to be under-qualified for the job because he was only 35 years old with a few years of legal service as legal counsel to two senate committees; however, with the backing of his brother, he passed the senate vetting.

“It is not simply good enough to name a bright young political manager, no matter how bright or how young or how personally loyal, to a major post in government”, the New York Times editorialized after the nomination.

A member of Senate later observed, “it was nepotism, I mean; he was the brother of the President”. Anthony Lewis, a veteran courts reporter said “though it was simply awful idea, Kennedy was a zealot with no understanding of the terrible responsibilities of an attorney General.”

After the assassination of President Kennedy, his successor, President Lyndon Johnson in 1967 was prompted by the appointment of Robert to lobby and sign into law a Nepotism statue prohibiting a President from appointing a family member.

Legally speaking, it is generally agreed among legal scholars that “Nepotism”, for purposes of the law, refers to the hiring and advancement of un- or under-qualified relatives simply by virtue of their relationship with an employer or officer. In other words, it's only restricted if the appointee is not qualified for the position.

So, given how nepotism is viewed legally, and therefore could be argued in court, for the purpose of law, Gregory has both academic merits and experiences that can qualify him not only for gubernatorial portfolio but for any portfolio in Kiir's government or in any other government to come.

The question of nepotism can be licit only if we have anti-nepotism law in our constitution like in the U.S.A and if he were under-qualified for the job. Unfortunately, with the absolute absence of such law as of now in our constitution, we can only objurgate the appointment made by any public officials such as the President, ministers, or governors as based on “nepotism” only if the appointee has no merits or under-qualified to claim that post.

It is also up to our legislators to legislate an anti-nepotism law if they see that the appointment of Gregory could possibly open a Pandora box of nepotism and may be of advantage to some corrupt public officials who might use it as an ambiguity to employ their unqualified relatives.

Therefore, it is upon our legislators whether to legislate it or not or the public should shut up feeble and incoherent arguments of fanciful articles in our constitution being infracted by the appointment of relatives by public officials.

Gregory didn't become President's brother-in-law in 2017 nor did he divulge his political ambitions to lead people (in various capacities) after Kiir assumed presidency.
Gregory got his first political assignment in 2002 by late Dr. John Garang as the first commissioner for Gogrial East County. He is brilliant, thoughtful, politically ambitious, undoubtedly articulate, and wondrously learned with good qualities of a leader; however, the history of defunct Warrap politics of “stabbing the back” and his previous records in commissionership office can be the best guide to foretell his success or failure, politically, socially, and security-wise.

He has his own political ambitions to achieve and he had laid bare his desire many times to be a governor of the defunct Warrap state before and after 2010 elections. In 2010, Gregory was among the three gubernatorial aspirants for Warrap state whose names were sent to SPLM political bureau in Juba for final nomination of one candidate to battle it out with other candidates in 2010 General Elections.

Unluckily, Gregory lost the nomination to Nyandeng Malek, however, he accepted the decision of political bureau and campaigned vigorously for Nyandeng to win the election. Sometimes later after her election, Gregory fell out with Nyandeng and joined the voices calling for her removal.

Debatably, with the election time remaining uncertain and the life span of the presidency that you can't predict, Gregory had run out of long wait for General Election to contest but to lobby Gogrial community and other political deities to support him and convince the President that it is now a high time for Gregory to govern Gogrial state.

Gregory is an entity, a person with his own political ambitions different from Kiir's and has a right to enjoy all the rights and privileges that every citizen in South Sudan is entitled to in our constitution; and it is unfair to divest him of these rights because of his mere relationship with the President.

Therefore, what matters the most is not how Gregory is related to the President but whether or not he has what it takes to be in that position; for example, does he have clear track records; does he understand the values and ideals of the state that he is going to govern; does he understand the urgent need of the people of Gogrial state; does he understand that he is now a politician and his high military ranks can't immune him from being condemned if he does something wrong; does he understand that the military philosophy of “whatever your boss says is true” doesn't work in politics; and does he understand that in politics, critics or dissents are not jailed, intimidated, prosecuted, or exiled, but are given freedom of expression and debate them with open mind and challenge them with your achievements?

In conclusion, Gregory has been looking for this job for so long and now he has it. It is incumbent on him to clearly spell and work out his programs why had he been after this job for so long.

Gregory must take this assignment as a full time job and prove it to all people that he has political agendas in mind to implement and he is capable of holding any other senior government position than gubernatorial post.

In fact, many rich politicians like him often go for politics to top up their richness with power while others go for politics to change the lives of their people. Whether he is going to top up his riches with power or transform the lives of the people of Gogrial state, only time will tell.

Mr. Governor, don't smile too much, they will think otherwise; remember always, all eyes are on you!

Simon Yel Yel is co-editor (with Paanluel Wel) of the book of the President Kiir' speeches and essential writings published in two volumes as “Salva Kiir Mayardit: The Joshua of South Sudan”. He can be reached at maandeng2017@gmail.com

January 10, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Joint Ministerial Committee between Sudan and Belarus Tuesday announced that the Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko will visit Khartoum on Monday for the first time.

In a press release extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday, Sudan's Oil Minister and head of the joint committee Mohamed Awad Zaid said Lukashenko would be accompanied by a senior economic delegation, pointing the visit comes upon an invitation from President Omer al-Bashir.

He added the visit aims to promote bilateral cooperation between the two countries and to discuss a number of issues of common concern.

According to the Ministry of Oil, Lukashenko would meet al-Bashir and address the Sudanese parliament, pointing the two sides will hold ministerial meeting and sign a number of cooperation protocols and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU).

It is noteworthy that the two countries in January 2015 signed a number of MoU in the domains of higher education, scientific research, pharmaceuticals, medical training, industrial cooperation and auto imports.

According to Sudanese officials, Sudan seeks to broaden the partnership to include industrial and agricultural domains in order to benefit from the Belarussian experience especially in the oil industry.

Last Tuesday, the economic development sector at the Sudanese Council of Ministers approved the report of the Joint Ministerial Committee between Sudan and Belarus.

Belarus is one of the Sudan armament providers. A military cooperation protocol covering training, exchange of experiences, and military science fields was inked between the two countries on June 15, 2006.

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January 9, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Information Minister Ahmed Balal Osman Monday disclosed an American initiative to hold a meeting between his government and the armed groups in France this week.

Sudanese Information Minister Ahmed al-Balal Osman speaks during a press conference in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on June 9, 2013. ( Photo AFP/ASHRAF SHAZLY)

In press statements Osman told reporters that the informal consultations meeting may take place on 15-16 January in Paris.

However, he didn't give further details about who will participate in the meeting or its agenda.

The opposition Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF)-Agar recently announced that the Sudan Call Leadership Council would meet from 15 to 20 January, but it was not clear if they would meet a government delegation.

Since the failure of August meeting in Addis Ababa over the cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access, U.S. Special Envoy Donald Booth met several times with the rebel groups and the government. He also held informal consultations meetings for the two sides in a bid to narrow the differences between the two sides.

The government went on with its national dialogue process saying the holdout groups can join the National Document of a conference held last October and participate in the transitional government. On the other hand, the opposition groups - including the Sudan Call forces- speak more and more about the need to conjugate efforts to overthrow the regime.

Speaking to the press in the capital of South Darfur Nyala, the British Ambassador to Sudan Michael Aron Monday said that his government last week in a meeting held in London had discussed the Roadmap Agreement implementation with the SPLM-N Secretary General, adding that Sudanese people would hear good news soon.

In a related development, the Sudanese communist Party Monday issued a statement reiterating its rejection for any process leading to a negotiated agreement with the regime of President Omer al-Bashir.

"The clear position of the National Consensus Forces is to overthrow the regime by building a broader mass front," said the statement, adding "The conservative and traditional forces managed to bar the way for the uprising, circumvented it and emptied its goals and contents. This attitude has ultimately led to the entry of the country in the dark tunnel since the NIF coup in 1989".

The National Umma Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi Sunday called on the United Nations in coordination with the African Union to adopt a resolution requiring Khartoum to implement the African Union Roadmap Agreement which paves the way for an inclusive process for peace and democratic reforms.

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By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

January 10, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) - The Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn said on Monday that his country will not free a prominent opposition leader from the restive Oromia region being jailed under the state of emergency decree.

Ethiopian prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn (Allafrica)

The Chairman of the Opposition Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) party, Merara Gudina, was arrested last month upon return from a meeting with European Union (EU) lawmakers in Belgium.

In Brussels, Merara appeared at the EU parliament to testify on the recent political crises and reports of alleged human right violations in the horn of Africa's nation.

Merara appeared at EU Parliament along with Birhanu Nega, leader of Ginbot-7, an exiled opposition movement long branded by Ethiopia as terrorist entity.

Also present at the EU Parliament was Feyisa Lellisa, Ethiopian Olympic Athlete who staged a protest sign at the Rio Olympics when he came second in a marathon race.

Ethiopian officials told Sudan Tribune Tuesday that the opposition leader was arrested for trespassing the state emergency ruling. Ethiopia imposed a six-month state of emergency in October following months of deadly protests in parts of the country.

The country faced an unprecedented wave of protests mainly in Oromia and Amhara regions over territorial as well as wider political and economic rights.

The decree's directive Article-2 prohibits any individual from communicating with banned opposition organisations or other "anti-peace" elements.

However, the Ethiopian Prime Minister on Monday said his country would not release the prominent opposition leader, but rather allow him face the courts of law.

"Individuals in EU Parliament who are harbouring anti-peace elements can't save those who trespass the law of the country", Hailemariam told reporters.

Opposition officials today told Sudan Tribune that Merara is likely to be tried under the country's anti-terrorism law, which right groups allege is being used as a tool to stifle freedom of speech and to arrest opposition members and critical journalists.

They say the state emergency law has severely affected opposition activities.

Right groups have also said that the decree has affected freedom of expression, dissent and independent reporting.

Ethiopian authorities have arrested over 20,000 suspects since the decree was declared last October in a bid to arrest violence.

The state emergency set to end in May is Ethiopia's first in over quarter a century.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister said the state of emergency decree has brought calm and could be lifted, considering the gains it had so far achieved.

"As far as the date of lifting the state emergency is concerned, it should be seen in the perspectives that we have to consolidate the gains that we have made so far" he added, but did not hint on whether his government would extend the decree after its end.

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January 10, 2017 (JUBA) - A top South Sudanese rebel commander has warned that rivalry between two rebel factions poses a threat to the cause for which the two camps pledged to pursue jointly.

Maj. Gen. Peter Gadet

Violence has, in recent weeks, risen in parts of South Sudan, which is dominated by the rebels under the command and leadership of former First Vice-President, Riek Machar.

Observers say disputes between Machar's predominantly ethnic Nuer and Lam Akol's Shilluk is attributed to the latest wave of power struggles between the rival factions.

The violence includes political assassinations disrupting the common goal for which the two rebels came into existence and threatens to destabilize the entire country.

So far, 2 top rebel commanders, all allied to Akol's National Democratic Movement — have been assassinated in what seems a contest for influence and control of the area.

Peter Gadet, a top rebel commander and one of those who defected from Machar before the signing of the 2015 peace agreement, sees a link between the two rebel factions as a threat to the cause for taking arms struggle against the Juba regime.

“Everyone was caught by surprise by what happened in Upper Nile. Nobody was expecting that. Nobody was expecting that the differences in views would escalate into the killings between colleagues whose objective is one: to remove the dictatorial regime under Salva Kiir in Juba. By turning on each other in the bush, what have they achieved than killing themselves?" Gadet told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday.

He added, "They have now empowered the regime, which I believe is the one engineering this. It is the regime”.

Gadet said rivalry has shifted to who should have leverage and control over the local people.

"This wave of violence shows there is a real threat that it would derail the focus on the main cause for which these movements were formed. “We are now talking about a security situation that is different than the sectarian fighting, when there are groups fighting against the government and against those who cooperated with the government," the top rebel commander stressed.

"We now have two main groups in the same community and they both accept the political process. But each one wants to be the sole representative of the movement and within the area," he added.

Last week, top rebel commanders, Gabriel Tanginye and Yohanis Okiech were killed in an apparent power struggle in South Sudan's Upper Nile state.

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The North African country gives vendors 48 hours to get rid of their stock, according to reports.

More than one million Somali refugees who have been displaced from their homes for decades are becoming despondent as they continue to be unable to return home and donor support is growing fatigued, according to the United Nations refugee agency.

Former President John Mahama's failure to vacate an official residence causes huge controversy.

Guinea-Bissau's players end their strike after unpaid wages are paid, only four days before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The World Cup finals will feature 48 teams from 2026 after football's governing body Fifa votes to expand the tournament from 32.

Nana Akufo-Addo's team apologies after parts of his speech were found to be copied.

Yoweri Museveni promotes his eldest son, fuelling speculation he is being groomed to take power.

January 9, 2017 (BENTIU) – Major defections have hit the South Sudanese army (SPLA) in Unity State after dozens of its forces reportedly joined the armed opposition allied to first Vice-President, Riek Machar in the north of the state.

SPLA forces in Wau town on May 16; 2016 (ST Photo)

In a statement, the armed opposition spokesperson, Col. William Deng, claimed 250 soldiers defected from Mayom county, northwest of Bentiu town.

Those who defected, he said, were commanded by Col. Simon Mayiel Kulang from brigade 12, division 3 and reported at Panakuach, north of Unity state.

“These huge forces defected with 11 PKM, seven RPGs and a vehicle mounted with enough ammunition,” he said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

The defectors, Deng further said, were received by their sector two commander, Lt. General Maguek Gai Majak at the armed opposition base in Panakuach.

The anticipated the numbers of those who defected to steadily rise with time.

“At least 250 soldiers defected to us yesterday [Sunday] and we have welcomed them to division 4 headquarters in the area,” the rebel official said.

“The number of the [pro-government] soldiers may be more than that. But this is a preliminary report I received from the ground,” he further told Sudan Tribune.

Meanwhile, Kulang accused the Juba government of allegedly practicing tribalism and nepotism, which has forced soldiers to defect to the rebels.

The rebel spokesperson also renewed claims the Sudanese rebels still exist in Unity State to fight alongside forces allied to President Salva Kiir's soldiers.

“The regime in Juba has also maintained it close relationship with the Sudanese rebels, including the Justice and Equality Movement or JEM and SPLA-North that the regime has been relying on since it imposed this war on the people of South Sudan,” further stressed the armed opposition's statement.

The rebel faction warned that there could be further escalation of the current conflict should government and its allied forces continue attacking armed opposition troops.

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