A group of 35 members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) have defected to the SPLM party headed by President Salva Kiir in Unity State.

Padhor Marier Khor, the deputy payam chief in Rubkona County’s Rioriak Payam said on Monday that the group announced its defection to the ruling SPLM last week.

He said that Unity State Governor Dr. Joseph Manytuil who also doubles as the state’s SPLM party chairperson welcomed the group and described the defection as a “bold decision” and a “significant step” towards peace and stability in Unity State.

“35 of us joined SPLM at the Rubkona County secretariat in Unity State and we were congratulated by SPLM leaders who welcomed us back to the SPLM party under the leadership of Salva Kiir Mayardit,” he said.

According to Marier, their defection is paramount and significant to the realization that the SPLM party will usher in peace and work for the people’s aspirations.

Meanwhile, the Rubkona County SPLM chairperson, Tater Chan Kuon, confirmed that he received 35 former SPLM-IO members and said it was a historic moment for the SPLM.

“We are proud of you, our comrades, and together we will make the SPLM great. We are proud to have you in our ranks and together we will continue adding blocks to our nation,” Chan said. “Many of the 35 people who defected from SPLM-IO are payam chiefs, women, and young people from across the eight payams of Rubkona County.” 

He implored those who to join the SPLM party not to have second thoughts.

“We are calling upon the rest of our comrades to join the SPLM,” he stressed.

For his part, Dhoal Koryom Lingling, the SPLM-IO chairperson in Rubkona County, said they were not aware of the defection of a group of 35 members but that only the deputy payam head chief in Rioriak Payam and one other person joined the SPLM party.

“We are not aware of 35 people but know of two members of SPLM-IO who defected from us to SPLM-IG.