South Sudanese army dismisses reports of “missing” officer

December 7, 2014 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese army (SPLA) has denied reports alleging its deputy chief of staff, Lt. Gen Thomas Cirilo may have joined the armed opposition rebel faction led by Riek Machar.

The high-ranking general was unreachable for days and circumstances under which he vanished remained unclear as neither government nor the army’s leadership explained.

Security sources earlier told Sudan Tribune that several attempts to contact Lt. Gen Cirilo were unsuccessful, raising tension and uncertainty within the top military ranks.

However, the SPLA spokesperson, Phillip Aguer, told the Turkish-based Anatolia news agency that Lt. Gen Cirilo travelled out of the country on an official mission and returned to Juba at the end of the visit.

He added that allegations linking the senior officer to armed rebellion were “rumours”, and that it was not the first he was faulted.

The senior army officer is yet to make a public appearance amidst claims he had returned to Juba.

Lt. Gen. Cirilo played key roles in behind the scene negotiations that saw president Salva Kiir pardon several rebel groups in 2013 after the former had scrutinised their demands.

Presidential orders pardoning rebel groups have seen a significant reduction in insurgency that largely concentrated in South Sudan’s Greater Upper Nile region. In 2012, five groups abandoned rebellion in response to amnesty and eight others responded in 2013.

(ST)