South Sudanese President Salva Kiir issued an order on Wednesday relieving and moving a previously suspended undersecretary at the ministry of defense, Bior Ajang Duot, to the foreign service.
Bior has since May been suspended on the recommendation of Paul Malong Awan, chief of general staff of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA).
Malong accused Bior and the director of procurement, Major General John Lat Zachariah of allegedly requesting the ministry of finance to release 37 million South Sudanese pounds for a dubious project.
Officials at the planning and procurement departments of the ministry of finance say the request they received at the time was to purchase stationery and other clerical associated items in the ministry of defence.
It is unclear whether the new assignment as ambassador and undersecretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation means that he has been cleared of charges or simply has regained the trust of higher officials.
Another decree appointed Lieutenant General Bapiny Monytuil as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Moral Orientation in place Lieutenant Chol Thon whom president Salva Kiir earlier appointed as caretaker governor of Upper Nile State.
Meanwhile, James Gai Yoach, who defected from the rebel forces in June 2014 and joined the government, was promoted from a rank of major general to lieutenant general. The order instructed the chief of staff to find him an assignment and reintegrate his force into the army.