Mass defection of Sudan troops to South Sudan

Al Jazeera learns that 200 troops switch allegiance to South Sudan, accusing Khartoum of destabilising the new nation.

More than 200 Sudanese soldiers have defected from the army, accusing Khartoum of deliberately trying to destabilise the newly created country of South Sudan.

The group of troops, which arrived in the south carrying weapons in columns of trucks, say they defected after refusing orders to attack disputed oilfields in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State.  

The soldiers, most of whom were originally from South Sudan, say they are now ready to join the South Sudanese army, and fight against Sudan.

The defections came amid a growing border conflict mainly over oil-rich regions between the two countries.

Al Jazeera’s Haru Mutasa reports from Upper Nile State.

Source: Al Jazeera