South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has announced changes in the top army command on Thursday night that has seen top military officials dropped.
Kiir, in a series of decrees announced on SSBC, removed General Malek Ruben, the assistant chief of defense forces, inspector general, and General Malual Ayom, the assistant chief of defense forces for operation, training and intelligence.
Kiir also relieved General Mangar Buong Aluong, the assistance chief of defense forces for administration, personnel and finance and General Charles Lam Chol, the commander of the air force and defense forces.
The South Sudanese leader also appointed other military officials to the four positions. He appointed General Gabriel Jok Riak as the new deputy chief of defense force, inspector general.
Kiir removed General Marial Chanuong from his position as the commander of ground forces and appointed him as the assistant chief of defense forces for operations, training and intelligence.
General Johnson Juma was relieved as deputy commander of ground forces and appointed as assistant chief of defense forces for administration and finance.
Kiir appointed General James Kong Kong as commander of air force and General Charles Dut Akol Akol as assistant chief of defense forces for logistics and procurement.
He also appointed Santino Deng Wol as commander of Ground Forces after being promoted from the rank of a Major General and removed as the commander of the SPLA Division 3.