Kiir appoints former rebel spokesperson as new South Sudan army spokesman

March 18, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir, has issued an administrative order appointing former rebel spokesperson, Brigadier General Lul Ruai Koang, as the new spokesperson of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), the official army of South Sudan.

President Kiir, according to the appointment letter he signed on 4 March 2016, but which Koang received on 17 March, two weeks later, assigned him as the spokesperson of the SPLA. He replaced former army spokesperson, Colonel Philip Aguer, who, since 24 December 2015, became an active politician after his appointment as the governor of the newly created Jonglei state.

Aguer’s appointment has since created a vacuum in public communications with the army on matters relevant to defence and security of the people and the country.

Speaking to Sudan Tribune on Friday, Koang commended the president and the leadership of the army under the overall command of the chief of general staff, Paul Malong Awan, describing it as a privilege and honour to serve the country at the most critical time in the history of South Sudan.

“I feel honoured and privileged to serve our people and the country as the spokesperson of the SPLA at this time,” said General Koang, when asked how he felt after receiving the news he had been into a highly selling and combative office which represents the views of the army on national affairs.

The military officer said he would work to ensure he speaks and stands for the values the army has been constitutionally mandated to uphold and enhance.

“My message to our people is that the SPLA remains fully committed to defending and protecting territorial integrity of the republic of South Sudan, defend the constitution, protect the lives and properties of our [people] against aggression,” he said.

Commenting on the same development, Gordon Buay, a South Sudanese diplomat at its mission to the United States, congratulated President Kiir on the appointment of General Koang to the position and described him as the “right man in the right job.”

“I want to congratulate President Kiir Mayardit for the appointment of Brig. Gen. Lul because he is the right person for the job,” said Ambassador Buay in a statement which he personally extended to Sudan Tribune on Friday and which he also distributed to a select group of people in his contact list and on social media.

Buay added that he was particularly happy with the appointment because General Koang will “properly deal with anti-peace elements that are spreading lies in the media against the Constitution of South Sudan.”

“There are bandits and political terrorists that are against the implementation of the Compromised Peace Agreement,” he said.

General Koang defected from the armed opposition faction of SPLA-IO under the leadership of Riek Machar, former vice president. He then joined the government since April last year.

(ST)