South Sudan President Salva Kiir has promoted Lieutenant-General Gabriel Jok Riak to the rank of General and named him the SPLA Chief of Defence Forces.
Gen Riak replaces late Gen. James Ajongo Mawut who died in Egypt in April.
Prior to his new role, Gen Riak was the deputy army chief for operations and acting army chief. Gen Riak hails from Jonglei State.
Kiir’s decree went into effect on May 2.