It looks all but lost for Riek Machar, the first vice-president of South Sudan who has been under house arrest with his wife on the orders of his long term political nemesis President Salva Kiir.
He faces possible charges of subversion after being linked with a series of attacks on army facilities in the oil-rich Upper Nile State, leading to the death of a pro-government commander earlier this month.
Several of his allies who were part of the unity government were also detained following the skirmishes.
A spokesman for the government said there is evidence suggesting the Mr Machar played a role in planning the recent attacks on an army base and other facilities belonging to the army.
But the trouble for Machar who leads the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) appears to be just beginning.
His party is also contending with a flood of defections from his movement which could sound the death knell to his ambitions.
It is being reported that 222 members of the military wing of his movement have switched allegiance to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and other security apparatuses.
According to unsubstantiated reports those in question are SPLM-IO forces based in Gutmakur, Muni, Luri, Rejaf, and Rambur.
Among the senior officers leading the defection is Captain Alison Lokule, accused Dr Machar of attempts to destabilise the country and plunge it into conflict.
“We, the officers, NCOs, and the men officially return from the SPLM-IO rank and file, and declare our allegiance to SSPDF and other organised forces,” he was quoted as saying.
He said the group of defectors ceased to be members of the party “because of the anti-peace intentions and nepotism practices of the SPLM-IO Chairman.”
Captain Alison Lokule went as far as to urge soldiers who had not defected to do so and save the country from bloodshed.
Another senior defector is Colonel Joseph Amanda Alias who said wildlife rangers and prison officers are joining their ranks to reject Machar.
He declared their allegiance to President Kiir and denounced any bid to return South Sudan to open conflict.
David John Kumuri, spokesman for the National Security Service, confirmed the defections, saying those who were fighting at the behest of Mr Machar and the White Army against government forces in Upper Nile State, finally realised that the country’s 7-year peace deal should not be jeopardised.
Machar’s party have not reacted to the defections and with him and many of his allies being detained, observers of the political developments in South Sudan are wondering if the endgame for the former rebel leader has caught up with him soon enough.
WN/as/APA