Brigadier General Hillary Edson T. Yakani, a commander with the rebel group National Salvation Front (NAS), together with 300 fighters under his leadership, announced on Monday that they have defected to the government and will now seek peace through dialogue.

Gen. Yakani stated that they had accepted President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s amnesty for armed groups.

He described attempts to seize power by force as unconstitutional and unacceptable.

Yakani noted that the people of South Sudan have endured enough hardship from prolonged conflict, which has caused deaths, property damage and widespread displacement.

“We chose to abandon war because violence is not a solution and will never solve our problems as South Sudanese,” he said.

The former rebel commander called on other remaining armed groups, especially those active in Central Equatoria State, to take up the presidential amnesty and return home.

He criticised assaults on civilians that involve looting, rape, extrajudicial killings, robbery and the burning of civilian vehicles on roads.

He also encouraged political figures living abroad to come back and advance their goals through peaceful and democratic channels as South Sudan gets ready for general elections planned for December 2026.

Yakani made a particular appeal to NAS leader General Thomas Cirilo to explore dialogue as a means of bringing peace and security back to the country.

In a related development, National Security Service Spokesperson David John Kumuri confirmed that 110 of the 300 defectors have already been received.

“The forces received are 300 in number, and 110, including 10 senior NAS commanders, have already arrived. You have witnessed it, and it is in line with the presidential directives for peace and national reconciliation,” he said.

“The group, during the reception, reasoned that the decision to denounce the NAS and the wider opposition group was exclusively acted upon by their camp after weighing the mission and vision of the National Salvation Front Army.”

“They contend that the National Salvation Front does not exhibit a vibrant and defined agenda for continued destabilization of the people of South Sudan through constant wars and destruction,” Kumuri added.

The group expressed gratitude to President Kiir and members of the security forces for enabling what they called a peaceful return.

Yakani’s defection follows several years after he left government forces to join NAS.

Reports indicate he switched from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces to NAS in September 2022.