A top army general loyal to the National Salvation Front led by Gen. Thomas Cirillo has denied reports that he defected to the newly formed rebel movement led by Gen. Paul Malong.

General Saki James Palaoko, a rebel general allied to Gen. Cirillo, described these allegations as false.

"I do not have links with Malong because I am on the ground. I have no relations with Malong,” Gen. Saki told Radio Tamazuj this afternoon.

“I am still serving under the leadership of Gen. Cirillo. I heard this morning that there was a letter written on May 19 saying I have joined Malong, but it is not true,” he explained.

Gen. Palaoko defected from the opposition movement led by the country’s former first vice president Riek Machar and joined the National Salvation Front (NAS) on December 12, 2017.