A senior commander for the opposition South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A) led by former army chief of staff, Gen. Paul Malong Awan has been captured in Lol State, an official said.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, the state information minister, Anei Anei said Brig. Gen. Michael Yel Piol was captured together with 54 soldiers during clashes with government forces in an area located northwest of Deleiba area in Greater Raja County on Tuesday.

The SSUF’s spokesperson, Sunday de John, said he was unaware of the clashes between the two rival forces in Lol State on Tuesday.

Malong's rebel group is not part of the revitalised peace deal signed in September 2018.