Lam Akol’s Camp hit by major defection, accuse defector of leaning towards ‘sectional basis” for defecting

NCMP May 26, 2021

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A Senior Commander of South Sudan National Democratic Movement (NDM), led by Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin on Sunday announced that he and his forces, are defecting from the opposition group to join the main armed opposition group led by Dr. Riek Machar Teny.

“With this, we inform you of the events of 24/4/2021 AD, in which a very small group affiliated to the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief was transferred to attempt to arrest the Northern Front of the High National Democratic Movement Forces for unknown reasons and for personal and cheap gains,” Lt. Gen Kimo Obac Alang said in a statement extended to the media.

“We, therefore, announce that all the forces of the NDM in northern front do hereby announce joining of the SPLA-IO forces led by 1st Lt. General Johnson Olony Thabo Dak,” he added.Sudan Opposition National Democratic Movement (NDM), led by Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin reacted instantly to the defection, issued a statement accusing General Kimo Obwany of having been persuaded on “sectional basis” by the John Olony- SPLA-IO commander of Agwelek faction.“Agwelek group media published on Monday a statement on behalf of Kimo Obwony dated 23 May 2021, who was cashiered from the National Democratic Movement forces on April 27, 2021.

The statement tries to justify what he did, a coup d’état, and falsely claiming that the Northern Front of the NDM had joined the Agwelek group under his leadership,” the statement extended to the media reads in part.“The statement is full of false allegations and desperate attempts to falsify facts to mislead public opinion,” the strong-worded statement signed by the group’s spokesman Brigadier General Fawzi Gabrial Oywac reads in part.

The statement went on to explain what had transpired.“What happened on April 24, 2012 was that Agwelek’s leadership in Megenis had persuaded Kimo Obwony on narrow sectional grounds to join their ranks and split the NDM and promised him money and a high military rank if he succeeded in implementing their plan.

“Indeed, they provided him with vehicles, soldiers and military equipment which he took and moved to Al-Hamra, where the NDM’s rear stores were. When he arrived the camp , the force received him there as their commander unaware of his sinister plan.“While the force was briefing him on their condition, the force that he brought with him heavily armed cordoned them, disarmed them, and went to the warehouses and seized all the weapons and ammunition there.

From there he returned to Megenis to report to the conspirators. If this was not betrayal and a coup, then what would be the definition of a coup?“Al-Hamra camp is the only one with a force estimated at about a company strong of the NDM. The bulk of force is in the assembly and training centres as required by the Revitalized Peace Agreement. For the Northern Front these centers are: Thwor Gwang, Alel, Tawfigiya, Tonga and Yomding.

“The other forces remaining in the area are HQs of units, not more than a Squad each divided between Megenis, Obud and Tonga, as well as officers who did not meet the requirements for joining the assembly and training centres.”The latest defection from the opposition group comes as regional and international community continue to urge parties to the revitalized peace agreement to prosecute defectors who are seen as spoilers of peace.

Since the signing of R-ARCIS Peace pact and subsequent formation of the unity government, parties to the Agreement have been hit with massive defections back and forth in equal measure. Notable figures such as late Tellar Deng, Achol Marial, Duop Bichok, and CDR Chuol switched camps in search for money and power.

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