South Sudan’s former military chief, Gen. Paul Malong Awan, has decided to increase the rent of his house that is being used as offices by the government of Aweil East state, forcing the government to consider relocating its headquarters in a commercial building from Malualkon to Wanyjok over the cost of rent, according to a document seen by Radio Tamazuj.

The government of Aweil East state issued a resolution confirming relocation of the state headquarters from Malualkon to Wanyjok over the cost of rent.

"The property owner intends to increase the rent from 30, 000 South Sudanese Pound a month to 4,000 USD per month effective November 2017 and the property owner also demands one year worth of rent as an advance payment,” partly reads a letter bearing the name of Ater Garang Ariath, deputy secretary of the state government.

"After thorough deliberations and discussions, the council of ministers unanimously resolved to approve the relocation of the state secretariat general from Malualkon to Mabil (Wanyjok) since the state is not able to pay the amount needed by the property owner,” adds the letter dated 15 November.

The state cabinet underscored that the relocation of the state headquarters will be done in December since two years rent payments have been paid up to December 2017.

Malong’s lawyer had informed the government of Aweil East state that his client had decided to make an increase for the lease price to be 4,000 USD per month.

Gen. Paul Malong was under house arrest in Juba from May till last week when President Kiir lifted the restriction. He travelled to Kenya for medical treatment.