CORRECTED: Senior SPLM-IO official quits, joins S. Sudan’s ex-army chief

May 30, 2018 (JUBA) – A South Sudanese armed opposition official has joined South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A) led by ex-army chief of staff, General Paul Malong.

“ I want to inform all my comrades, men and women to unite our ranks and files under the SSUF/A leadership so that we overthrow this futile regime under deranged leaders in Juba,” said Major General Acuil Lual Acuil.

He appealed to all opposition groups in the country to join the Malong-led movement to effect change in the war-torn nation.

“It is only the SSUF/A that can and has the ability to bring change in South Sudan,” he said in a 26 May letter signed by 12 senior officers.

Relations between Malong and President Salva Kiir deteriorated after the former was sacked from his post as Army Chief of Staff in May 2017 and placed under house arrest for fear he would foment a rebellion.

Malong was freed in November following mediation led by the Jieng Council of Elders. The agreement refrained him from going to his home-town of Aweil in the former Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State, but he was free to travel to any East Africa country.

In April, however, Malong announced the formation SSUF/A, saying it was a through which he would work with compatriots to overthrow the Juba regime.

(ST)