The promotion was announced by UPA leader Pagan Amum in a statement extended to Sudans Post via email this morning.
“Pursuant to the resolution of the UPA interim National Leadership Committee (INLC) and General Command Council (GCC), Lt. General Stephen Buay Rolnyang, the Chief of General Staff of the UPA Unified Forces is hereby promoted to the rank of General with effect from 19/1/2025,” the statement said.
The UPA, formed earlier this month, comprises Buay’s (SSPM/A), the Real-SPLM led by Amum, the South Sudan United Front (SSUF) led by General Paul Malong, and the NAS Revolutionary Command Council.
The groups have been engaged in peace talks with the South Sudanese government in Nairobi under the Kenya-led Tumaini Initiative.
However, the talks have faced significant obstacles, with participants accusing each other of lacking the will to make progress.