South Sudan rebel leader assigns more officials of Johnson Olony

July 5, 2015 (NAIROBI) – South Sudanese former vice-president, Riek Machar, who leads an armed opposition group, has appointed more officials of General Johnson Olony to various capacities in the movement.

Gabriel Thokuj Deng, has been appointed as deputy chairman for national committee for peace and reconciliation in the rebel group.

Deng replaced Sophia Pal Gai, former ruling party (SPLM) secretary for administration in Juba before the crisis. Sophia has been in the SPLM-IO since January 2014 is reappointed roving ambassador in the office of the chairman.

William Ezekiel Kujo, is appointed as undersecretary of national committee for information and public relations, while Daniel Odok Deng will take up the assignment as relief coordinator for the Relief Organization for South Sudan under the national committee for humanitarian affairs. He will be based in Pagak town, the General Headquarters of the rebel movement.

Another official, Paulino Omoj Omay, is appointed head of water and sanitation department for the relief organization under the humanitarian affairs committee.

Spokesperson for the leader of the opposition faction said the appointments were in accordance with the merger agreement signed on Wednesday, in Nairobi, between the two factions of Machar and Johnson Olony.

“These appointments of former Aguelek officials to different capacities in SPLM/SPLA is in implementation of the merger agreement,” said James Gatdet Dak.

On Thursday the rebel leader appointed Jukino Fidel Nyikayo as governor of Fashoda state, home to ethnic Shilluk kingdom from which Olony and his group members hail.

(ST)