Kiir replaces army’s division commander in Unity State after northern Unity violence

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has replaced Major-General William Manyang Mayak, commander of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) 4^th Infantry Division, with former militia commander General Matthew Puljang, following recent clashes in northern Unity State.

Sources from the headquarters of the 4^th Infantry Division in Baar, Rubkona, told Sudans Post that Manyang was dismissed last week after he was blamed by some SSPDF commanders for negligence after violence erupted along the Unity State-Ruweng border.

On Sunday, armed youth from Rubkona County attacked western parts of Ruweng Administrative Area as a revenge for a last week cattle raid on a Leek Community camp that left five people, including three women and a young girl, wounded.

The escalating conflict on the Unity-Ruweng border sparked a social media outcry, with many citizens blaming the 4^th Infantry Division command for failure to contain the latest offensive by the Leek Community youth.

Manyang traveled to Juba on Sunday, the same day of clashes, for what he described as a “short visit.”

Speaking to Sudans Post at Rubkona Airport, Manyang said he had deployed troops to address the escalating violence between the two youth groups. SSPDF sources in Baar indicated that Manyang was recalled to the Juba last week by President Kiir who doubles as the head of the SSPDF.

A senior army officer, who refused to be identified by name, in Baar confirmed that General Puljang had taken over command of the 4^th Infantry Division. A small ceremony was held at Baar to welcome Puljang on Monday, a day after his predecessor’s departure.

Puljang previously commanded the “Special Forces” in Western Unity State and was formerly the commander of the South Sudan Liberation Army, a militia group composed largely of the Bull Nuer community of western Unity State.

A section of his forces is usually referred to as “Terchuong” and has been blamed for human rights abuses in Rubkona, Guit, Mayendit, and Leer counties during the five-year conflict that has gutted South Sudan’s economy since 2013.

He initially took up arms against President Kiir in 2011 but returned with significant force and weaponry towards the end of 2013, siding with the government against opposition forces led by Riek Machar.

His forces were later renamed “Special Forces,” with Puljang himself as the commander. In April 2020, the special forces were dissolved and Puljang himself recalled to Juba “for deployment” according to an order from the SSPDF chief of defense forces at the time.

In May 2021, two sources close to Puljang said he had disagreement with presidential security advisor Tut Gatluak for allegedly refused to implement an order of the former who reportedly wanted him to “kill” General Stephen Buay Rolnyang, then commander of 5th infantry division, when he was arrested in 2018.

Gatluak allegedly wanted Buay “finished in his place” and not to be bothered to be brought to Juba where he would likely survive.