South Sudan: Army commander defects to rebels

A top South Sudanese military commander has defected and joined the largest rebel group fighting troops loyal to President Salva Kiir.  Lt Col Chan Garang, an ally of former army chief Paul Malong, defected with 200 soldiers, Reuters news agency reports.  The commander said that he had defected because Mr Malong’s allies were being badly […]

A top South Sudanese military commander has defected and joined the largest rebel group fighting troops loyal to President Salva Kiir. 

Lt Col Chan Garang, an ally of former army chief Paul Malong, defected with 200 soldiers, Reuters news agency reports. 

The commander said that he had defected because Mr Malong’s allies were being badly treated. 

He added that troops had not been paid for seven months and other ethnic groups were being discriminated against. 

President Kiir, Mr Malong and Lt Col Garang are ethnic Dinkas and any split within the powerful group could represent a threat to Mr Kiir.