Ex-army commander gives 7-day ultimatum for oil workers to vacate oil fields

JUBA – Former South Sudan army commander General Stephen Buay Rolnyang has given international oil workers a 7-day ultimatum to vacate oilfields in Unity state as he prepares to launch assault on government positions.

Buay made the call in a press statement extended to Sudans Post this afternoon in which he also declared his defection from the government of President Salva Kiir to opposition leader General Paul Malong Awan.

In the statement, Buay urged South Sudan armed forces to turn against Kiir and remove him from power accusing him of being responsible for the ongoing suffering in the world’s youngest country.

“With this, I urge the SSPDF forces wherever they are to challenge the regime of President Kiir and all the forces to evacuate the towns and assembly in the country side and report their readiness to the leadership of General Paul Malong Awan so that we make a regime change in our country,” Buay said in the state.

While urging soldiers to stay quiet before further directives, Buay warned international oil workers to vacate oilfields within a period of seven days, but did state what would happen next.

“Do not attack any town till further directives from this end, but defend yourselves when come under attack by the forces loyal to President Kiir,” he told the armed forces.

“I warn all the international and national oil workers to evacuate Unity and Tharjiath oil fields within 7 days’ time or otherwise,” he concluded.