South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has reinstated former military caretaker governor of Upper Nile state Chol Thon Balok into active military service.

Chol, according to the order which became published on Saturday, has been reinstated into active military service with the same rank as 1st lieutenant general.  The order did not give any new assignment.

Relatives and military sources said his assignment will be made after President Kiir and chief of defense forces James Ajongo Mawut conclude consultations.

Chol was removed from the army in 2015 through a presidential order to replace his predecessor, Simon Kun Puoc as a governor of Upper Nile State. When 28 State were established, Chol became the governor of Eastern Nile State until the state was further divided into central and northern Upper Nile.

James Tor Monybuny became the governor of Central Upper Nile and Deng Akuei Kak was appointed the new governor of Northern Upper Nile state and Chol was not given any new assignment.