Ex-South Sudan deputy army chief prevented from leaving Juba

JUBA – Former South Sudan deputy chief of General Staff for Riverine Forces General James Gai Yoach has been prevented from leaving Juba for the Sudanese capital Khartoum by members of the country’s National Security Service (NSS), the Sudans Post has learned.

The former senior army commander who is no longer in the active service was seen being taken out of the airport by men in NSS closes and was told to return to his residence in the capital Juba.

“We saw General James Gai Yoach being taken out of the Juba International Airport’s departure hall. He was taken out by men wearing clothes of the National Security Service and his passport was taken,” an eyewitness told Sudans Post this evening.

One source said the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit is suspicious of the former rebel commander who has a long history of rebellion. There are currently speculations that he has the intention to return to bush, but which are not confirmed.

Several contacts to General Gai could not be successful, but sources have said that the former rebel General who abandoned Dr. Riek Machar Teny in 2016 was returned by the NSS to his residency in Juba but his passport remains confiscated.