Rights group urges government to release Paul Malong

File photo: General Paul Malong

The Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ), a rights group in South Sudan, has called on the unity government to immediately release General Malong Awan.

The Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ), a rights group in South Sudan, has called on the unity government to immediately release General Malong Awan.

South Sudan’s former army chief General Paul Malong Awan is being confined to his home in Juba for security reasons. He was sacked in May by President Kiir after resignations by senior military officials.

CPJ's Coordinator Tito Anthony said in a statement yesterday that the government must release General Malong to enjoy his rights as a South Sudanese citizen.

"If the government has issues with Malong when he was the chief of general staff, then an investigation committee must be formed so that President Kiir can make a decision on the case,” he said.

"The government must release him and it will be his choice wherever to stay in Juba or outside Juba,” he added.