S. Sudan rebel leader appoints more deputies to chief of general staff
January 2, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudanese former vice-president, Riek Machar, turned leader of the rebel SPLM-In-Opposition, has appointed two more senior rebel commanders as deputies to the chief of general staff of the rebel forces.
The appointments, dated 21 December, were released a day after announcement of the appointment of the chief of general staff and two other deputies plus the Inspector-General for SPLA.
In the first orders released on Thursday, Machar appointed Major General Simon Gatwech Dual as the chief of general staff, with Major General Peter Gatdet Yak, Major General Gathoth Gatkuoth Hothnyang and Major General Gabriel Gatwech Chan (Gabriel Tangyinya) for military operations, logistics and Inspector-General, respectively.
Appointment for deputy chief of general staff for training is yet to be released.
APPOINTMENTS REVOKED
Rebel leader’s spokesman, James Gatdet Dak, told Sudan Tribune on Friday that appointments for governor of the newly created Sobat state and five county commissioners had been revoked due to “irregularities.”
In the orders for the appointments released on Thursday, Machar appointed Duer Chuol Kur as governor of Sobat state.
He also appointed Colonel Kang Guoch Deng as commissioner of the newly created Malou county, Luke Mok Kueth for Nasir county, Colonel Nhial Puoch Jak for Kewer county, John Wiyual Kuach Bithou as commissioner of Thorow county and Isaac Tor for Wanding county.
However Dak said there was still a need to carry out further consultations with the communities concerned.
“The Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of SPLM/SPLA, Dr Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, has revoked some of the earlier appointments on Sobat state. Irregularities have been discovered in the selection of candidates for positions,” he said.
“Representatives of communities in the said state and counties have asked for adequate consultations in selecting a governor and their respective counties commissioners,” Dak further explained.
Earlier, the opposition leader’s spokesperson explained the importance of establishing a civil administration in the rebel controlled areas and beyond, saying they would mobilise the populations in support of the movement as well as provide security and coordinate humanitarian interventions.
Machar’s rebel group has been fighting against president Salva Kiir’s government for over one year, accusing the latter of dictatorship and instigating the war. Kiir accused him of planning a military coup.
Peace talks mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has stalled in Addis Ababa with expected resumption in mid-January.
Observers said the two warring parties have prepared for expected worst violence this dry season as both sides have been organising and arming their fighters during the past wet season.
(ST)