South Sudan rebel leader disowns congratulating new deputy spy chief

December 5, 2021 (JUBA) – Paul Malong Awan, former army chief of staff, turned leader of the rebel South Sudan United Front (SSUF) denied welcoming the recent appointment of the deputy chief security.

Kiir appointed on Wednesday brother-in-law Major General Gregory Deng Kuac Aduol, also known as Gregory Vissili, as the deputy director-general for the intelligence bureau at National Security Service.

On Saturday, Awan welcomed the assignment of the new deputy chief spy and described him as a “great friend”.

“I encourage you to go and make huge waves in your new position as you continue being the best at your work”, reads a statement seen by the Sudan Tribune.

However, he distanced himself from the press statement, saying it was the machination of people who wants to put the new officer into conflict with President Salva Kiir

“This is unfounded. It is not true. There is nothing like that. I did not write and send out any congratulatory message on the appointment of General Gregory,” he told the Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

People know he is a man of peace and has been trying his best all this along and is the reason some people have trying to sideline him from getting assignments like the new position because of our personal relations”, he further stressed.

Observers in Juba say Gregory’s appointment could be a preparation to replace the incumbent head of the intelligence agency AKol Koor Kuc who had played a determinant role in Awan’s sack in 2017 from his position as the army chief of staff.

Kuc removal has always been one of the demands put forth by Awan to lay down arms and return home even if he is not given a position in the government.

(ST)