S. Sudan army downplays severity of chief of general staff’s illness
October 27, 2014 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese army (SPLA) has downplayed reports that its chief of general staff, Gen. Paul Malong Awan, is suffering a serious illness after he collapsed on Friday.
Family members say the general, a close political ally of president Salva Kiir, fainted and collapsed on Friday evening in the presence of the his deputy chief of staff for operations, James Ajonga Mawut.
Other senior military and police officers, with whom they were together at the time, included former chief of General staff, General James Hoth Mai and Police Inspector General, General Pieng Deng Kuol.
“There is no problem. I am fine. It is something which came from somewhere and it did not take more than two hours before I regained my strength,” Awan said in a statement broadcast on SSTV.
“I am now okay and ready to resume my work effectively,” he added.
In a separate statement on SSTV, SPLA spokesperson Colonel Philip Aguer also gave assurances that there was no reason for concern.
Awan was admitted to a medical unit at the presidential palace, where his condition is being closely monitored.
One of his wives told Sudan Tribune on Monday that her husband’s health had improved significantly, although he continues to suffer from general malaise, muscle weakness and slowness in his speech.
She said the medical team had barred her husband from receiving and making telephone calls.
Awan and his family have been visited by a number of prominent figures across the country since he was admitted to the medical unit.
The unit’s medical team has reportedly recommended that he be transferred to a foreign country for further treatment, with Awan expected to travel to Germany for further general checkups and medical care.
Preliminary reports from doctors attributed the cause of Awan’s symptoms to high blood pressure.
(ST)