SPLM-IO Loses Over 1,000 Members to Ruling SPLM Ahead of Elections

More than 1,000 members the SPLM-IO, led by Stephen Par Kuol, have shifted allegiance to the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) ahead of the upcoming elections. The defectors, including former government ministers, lawmakers and other political leaders, joined the SPLM during a ceremony at SPLM House on Tuesday, pledging allegiance to party chairman and President Salva Kiir Mayardit.