South Sudan army chief welcomes appointment of 28 governors
December 26, 2015 (JUBA) – General Paul Malong Awan, chief of general staff of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), an official army of South Sudan, has welcomed the appointment of 28 states governors and congratulated in particular the spokesperson of the army, Colonel Philip Aguer, who has now been appointed as the governor of successor Jonglei state.
“Comrade Philip Aguer is one of the best performing officers and that is why General Paul Malong, chief of general staff, congratulated him and wished him the best of luck in his new role and assignment as the new governor of Jonglei state,” a military officer in the office of General Awan told Sudan Tribune on Saturday.
“He (Awan) assured him (Aguer) of his support whenever he needs helping hand from him, whether at personal level or in his current capacity as chief of general staff or in other capacities,” he said.
Critics of the presidential establishment order creating and expanding the constitutionally recognized 10 states to 28 states point out that General Paul Malong Awan has been working with the Jieng (Dinka) Council of Elders (JCE) and other government officials to undermine implementation of the peace agreement which president Salva Kiir, armed opposition leader, Riek Machar, and other stakeholders have signed in August to end more than 21 months of conflict.
They attribute the fears of the views held by Awan and his supporters to the fact that the African Union report which was released this year calls for holding those who have played a negative role in the conflict or masterminded the ethnic target to account for their actions before the court to be set up.
Many fear Awan and several others would have hard and difficult time proving they did not play any role in the conflict, prompting them to adopt activities sabotaging establishment of such institutions.
(ST)