South Sudan’s Taban Deng disowns rift with president Kiir

April 8, 2022 (JUBA)-   South Sudan’s Vice President Taban Deng Gai has denied reports suggesting he is in conflict with President Salva Kiir and the Director-General of the Internal Security Bureau (ISB) Gen Akol Koor Kuc.

“The office of the vice president and chairperson for infrastructure cluster strongly refutes allegations made on the alleged rift between his Excellency the vice president and Gen Akol Koor Kuc, Director General of Internal bureau of the national security services,”  said  Kawaja Kau Madol Ciweer, Press Secretary in the office of the vice president of infrastructure cluster

Ciweer further denied that Gai had protested the allocation of key positions in the army, police, security services and civil defence given to his group to other armed movements within the framework of the unified command structure.

He underscored that Gai understands that such decisions are within the constitutional mandate of President Kiir.

South Sudan’s main signatories of the revitalized peace agreement and partners of the transitional government in Juba reached an agreement on the unification of command on April 3 more than three years after the signing of the deal in September 2018.

The deal will pave the way for the graduation of forces from cantonment sites and the effective formation of one national army, reducing the risks of a new war between them and paving the way for general elections next year.

(ST)