Malong suspends defense chief for criticizing new rebel alliance

JUBA – South Sudan opposition leader and former army chief, Gen. Paul Malong Awan, has this morning suspended his defense chief after the later criticized Malong for joining other opposition leaders in the formation of a new rebel alliance aimed at regime change in Juba.

Malong on July 13, signed a declaration for the formation of a new rebel alliance along with Pagan Amum, the leader of Real-SPLM, General Thomas Cirilo Swaka, the leader of National Salvation Front, Emmanuel Ajawin, the head of NDM-FP that aiming at a technocratic government.

But Gen. Philip Stephen Dak, the defense secretary of South Sudan United Front/Army led by Malong rejected the formation of the new rebel alliance saying that the “political and military leadership of South Sudan United Front (SSUF/A) did not sit down to discuss joining or establishing a new alliance other than SSOMA.”

In a letter addressed to Gen. Dak, Malong said the group was dismayed that he issued that statement to denounce procedures of the movement leading to signing of the declaration of the new alliance by the group’s chairman.

“The leadership of the South Sudan United Front/Army was in great dismay that you issued a statement, signed by you, denouncing the procedures that led to the signing of the Chairman and Commander-in-Chief to the declaration of the new alliance with some other opposition leaders,” Malong said.

“It has been found that the statement you wrote to distract and create misleading confusion in the ranks of the organization’s members and this behavior contradicts the goals and revolutionary paths in the struggle,” he added.

He said the defense secretary’s action are unacceptable to the SSUF/A, and violates its constitution and code of conduct and then suspended him using powers given to him by the SSUF/A constitution.

“Your behavior is considered unacceptable and inappropriate and it is a violation of Articles 7.2 and 7.3 (SSUF/A Constitution) and Chapter 2: SSUF/A Code of Conduct,” Malong said.

“In light of this gross misconduct, I, General Paul Malong Awan, Chairman and Commander-in-Chief, have duly issued  suspension of Gen. Philip Stephen Dak as Secretary of Defense of SSUF/A under Article 20.7 of the Constitution,” he added.