Kiir orders Balok to disarm civilians in Juba, reorganize SSPDF

JUBA, MARCH 30, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Thursday afternoon ordered newly-appointed minister of defense Gen. Chol Thon Balok to disarm civilians in Juba and reorganize the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).

Balok – a highly respected army officer from Ngok Lual Yak of Baliet County in Upper Nile state – was appointed on Wednesday in a controversial presidential decree to replace Angelina Teny, an opposition politician and wife of SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar who was appointed to the position in 2020.

This afternoon, Balok was sworn in just less than 24 hours following his appointment, according to the presidency.

“President Kiir directed the new minister to reorganize the army and disarm the civil population in Juba and other parts of the country,” the presidency said in a statement seen by Sudans Post following the swearing ceremony which was administered by Chief Justice Chan Reec Madut.

According to the statement, Kiir “also urged the minister to carry out his duties diligently in order to implement chapter two of the security arrangement”.

For his part, Balok reiterated his “commitment to implement Security Arrangement in order to achieve a durable peace in the country” and to “work jointly with the senior members to reorganize the army especially addressing their welfare.”