Kiir replaces SSPDF 4th Infatry Division commander in Unity State

JUBA — South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has replaced the commander of the army’s 4th Infantry Division in Unity State, appointing Maj. Gen. Joseph Manyuat Manyzol Tiem, also known as Gatnyaturoah Nyawei, to the position, military sources said on Wednesday.

Manyuat replaces Major General Matthew Puljang Top, who had led the division for a relatively short period, according to the sources.

The change was confirmed by senior officers in Bilpam, the headquarters of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), though no official statement was immediately issued explaining the reasons for the replacement.

The 4th Infantry Division, based in Unity State, plays a central role in military operations in northern South Sudan, including areas affected by recent violence and tensions between Unity State and the neighboring Ruweng Administrative Area.

The leadership change comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over the division’s activities following the March 1 attack in Abiemnom, which killed at least 169 civilians.

Previous reporting by Sudans Post cited testimonies from local sources alleging the involvement of armed youth from Mayom County operating alongside elements of the division, though the SSPDF has not publicly responded to those claims.

In an email to Sudans Post, a senior military figure welcomed Manyuat’s appointment as a deployment by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Dr. Paul Nang Majok.

Manyuat, who has previously held command roles within the SSPDF, is expected to assume duties immediately.

The SSPDF has not publicly commented on the circumstances surrounding Puljang’s removal or the mandate given to the new commander.

The 4th Division has undergone multiple leadership changes in recent years, reflecting the strategic importance of Unity State, South Sudan’s main oil-producing region, and the complex security dynamics in the area.