Malong names new operation commander, military spokesman

JUBA – South Sudan former army chief turned rebel leader General Paul Malong Awan has issued an order naming a new operation commander, among others, and a new military spokesman for South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A).

This comes after top military commanders and politicians deserted the rebel group accusing General Malong of running the movement single-handedly and with no political experience to lead an military-political movement.

In an order extended to Sudans Post, Malong promoted Thon Chiluel Mathou from the rank of brigadier general to major general and then appointed him as the deputy military chief of staff for operations of the SSUF/A.

In the same order, Malong promoted Joseph Majok Thiep Arou from the rank of lieutenant colonel to brigadier general and then appointed him as the South Sudan United Front/Army director of military intelligence.

Malong then promoted Philip Deng Kuol, former deputy military spokesman of the SSUF/A, to the rank of colonel and then appointed him the new military spokesman replacing his predecessor who defected to form a separate group along with others.

Others were also promoted and appointed to various positions include brigadier general Joseph Garang Piol who was appointed as director of operations, Colonel Samuel Gabriel Roic who was appointed as the deputy director of military intelligence.

The former army chief said in the decree a copy of which was obtained by Sudans Post that “This order shall come into force from the day of its signature by the Chairman and Commander in Chief of SSUF/A”.