(Jan. 25, 2014) At least 250 soldiers who defected to the opposition have surrendered to authorities in Bentiu, Unity State.
Deputy Governor, Mabek Lang Mading says the troops are being held at the army base in Bentiu.
Deputy Governor, Mabek Lang Mading says all the troops, referred to in the cessation of hostilities agreement as SPLA in the opposition, reported to State authorities.
Mabek says many of them did not have destructive intentions and are welcome back. He spoke of another 32 armed personnel who surrendered as we were in Bentiu on Friday.
“Today we have receive 32 armed person who returned to Bentiu and within these last five days also we are receiving now we have reach about two hundred and fifty returnees from the armed rebels they are now with us”.
The Deputy Governor fell short of saying what would happen to the soldiers, although army spokesperson Col Phillip Aguer in an earlier interview with Radio Miraya said soldiers who left out of fear are welcome back to their bases, and acknowledged that those arrested on suspicion of criminal activity would face the army court martial.
Deputy Governor, Mabek Lang adds that the security situation in the state is improving and the SPLA had on several occasions repulsed attacks by opposition forces since the recapture of Bentiu from the antigovernment forces early this month.
He said all oil fields in the State are under government control. Mabek says the government controls the five northern counties of Mayom, Abiemnom, Rubkotna, Guit, and Pariang, while the opposition has presence in the four southern counties of Koch, Leer, Panyijar and Mayendit.