by Denis Elamu
JUBA, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Eleven South Sudanese rebels on Thursday defected to the government in order to participate in the ongoing national dialogue process launched last year by President Salva Kiir.
General Gabriel Gatwech Puoch from the SPLA-In opposition (SPLA-IO) faction under First Vice President Taban Deng Gai said the 11 returnee rebels, including two Brigadiers, arrived in Juba from the Ugandan capital, Kampala.
"I have been sent to Kampala by Taban Deng to meet those who have called for peace and some of them have come with me. We are delighted that people are now ready to talk and air out differences through the national dialogue," Gatwech said in Juba.
He added that some of the returnees had fled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the wake of the renewed July violence last year that pushed Machar out of the capital.
Brigadier Jeremiah Sero, who is among the returnee rebels, said they came to be part of the national dialogue process and that peace will only come from local solution.
"We have heard this call to join the national dialogue, because it's South Sudanese who will bring peace to our country. I call on our comrades still in the bush to join this process," said Sero who was among rebels that fled with Machar to DRC during violence last year.
Meanwhile, Brigadier Okello Odongo who was with the rebels in Magwi County, Imatong state said more rebel fighters are ready to renounce rebellion for the national dialogue.
"This is high time that we welcome everybody who has left this country because of grievances to return and help build the country. There are number of soldiers that are ready to come but delayed due to facilitation," he disclosed.
"Right now as we talk already there are forces gathering, building up in cantonment sites. And with my coming I believe that even the (rebel) remnants still in the bush will join us," he added.
South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar led to fighting that pitted mostly Dinka ethnic soldiers loyal to Kiir against Machar's Nuer ethnic group.
The 2015 peace agreement to end the violence was again violated in July 2016 when the rival factions resumed fighting in the capital forcing the rebel leader Machar to flee into exile.
The conflict has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions that have sought refuge in neighboring countries.
