Malong denies making apology to Kiir for waging ‘unsuccessful’ rebellion

JUBA – South Sudan’s former army chief and leader of the rebel South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A) General Paul Malong Awan Anei has denied that he has apologized to President Salva Kiir Mayardit for attempt to take his seat through the force of arms and for waging an unsuccessful rebellion, according to a statement extended to Sudans Post.

In a letter circulating on social media since October 14, Gen. Malong purportedly wrote to President Salva Kiir Mayardit asking him to forgive him for having rebelled against his government and for talking against his government saying he need another chance in President Salva Kiir’s government to prove himself as a brother to the South Sudanese head of state.

“I heartedly apologize to you as a brother who is also my leader since the SPLM/A days for all the hurtful words, the actions, the unsuccessful attempt to remove you from your leadership, actions and disrespect of any form that were directed at you as a person and your leadership either or my aides, friends and family,” Malong purportedly said in the letter seen by Sudans Post.

“I accept that all were my making and please forgive me for being irresponsible and offer me another chance to prove myself as your worthy brother and a friend,” the letter dated October 14, 2021, added.

However, in a statement issued this afternoon, Deng Chapath, the spokesman of South Sudan United Front denied any connection between General Paul Malong and the letter saying it was forged by enemies of the former South Sudan army chief and urged the public to disregard the document.

“This is to inform SSUF/A, membership, our alliance (SSOMA), Media houses and general public that the documents circulating on the social media outlets depicting our visionary Chairman and C-IN-C General Paul Malong Awan Anei to have apologized to President Salva Kiir Mayardit, regretting his decision to form SSUF/ A, asked him for forgiveness to return home and withdrawal of membership from SSOMA are fake propaganda tool intended to discredit our strong chairman and great movement SSUF/A. Please disregard them,” the statement said.

“The advancement of technology now days has enabled criminals and enemies of our struggle to forge such shameful documents to distract us from the course of our struggle, cause confusion between us and our alliance-SSOMA with whom are we together pursuing peace talks mediated by the Community of Saint Egidio in Rome,” it added.

It went on to “affirm our commitment to the Rome platform as an alternative fertile ground for reaching an understanding formula to bring just lasting peace and stability to our people.”