Former army chief backs calls for joint command structure

October 24, 2022 (NAIROBI) – South Sudan’s former army chief, Gen. Paul Malong Awan has backed calls for a joint military command structure to overthrow President Salva Kiir.

Malong’s acceptance was contained in an October 21 letter addressed to the Chairman of South Sudan Peoples Movement/Army (SSPLM/A), General Stephen Buay Rolnyang

Gen. Thomas Cirillo Swaka, the chairman of the National Salvation Front (NAS) and Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual leads the SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang faction are also copied in the letter.

“In which you come up with a proposal to challenge the regime by fighting collectively under one leadership and launch offensive fronts to save our country from the brutality of the Salva Kiir government,” partly reads Malong’s letter extended to Sudan Tribune.

He added, “We would like to assure you that your proposal has been accepted by this end”.

Malong, who leads South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A) urged the other groups to unite as leaders “and launch a full-scale military operation against the Juba regime”

“The only solution to save the country from the hands of the dwarves, is an organized military campaign from all directions, we lack this strategy and the government of Salva Kiir has found ways to prolong the suffering of our people,” he stressed.

Rolynyang, whose rebel group mainly operates in Unity State, proposed the formation of unified fronts in Equatoria, Upper Nile as well as Bhar el Ghazal regions.

An officer from NAS would lead the Equatoria front, IO-Kitgwang would lead the Upper Nile front while the Bahr el Ghazal would be led by an SSUF/A officer.

Proposals have also been made for the formation of infantry divisions in South Sudan’s Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Western Equatoria, Upper Nile, Unity, Jonglei, Northern Bhar El Ghazal, Lakes and Western Bahr el Ghazal (Wau and Raja, Warrap).

(ST)