The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) has confirmed the replacement of Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, the Deputy Chief of Staff and Co-chair of the Joint Defense Board (JDB), who was arrested earlier this month.
Gen. Duop, who is currently under arrest in Juba, is affiliated with the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) and serves as the Deputy Chief of the Defence Forces for Operations. He was integrated into the SSPDF as part of a security agreement and is allied with First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, who was placed under house arrest in Juba on Wednesday.
SSPDF spokesperson Maj Gen Lul Ruai Koang told Radio Tamazuj that Lt. Gen. Koang Gatkuoth Kerjiok had taken over the position in an acting capacity.
“Lt. Gen. Koang Gatkuoth Kerjiok has been put in place of Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, and he will be acting Deputy Chief of Defense Forces. The order is out, and we have informed all our ranks in South Sudan,” Koang said.
However, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) has strongly criticized the appointment.
In a press statement, SPLA-IO denounced the move as a unilateral decision made by the SSPDF leadership and the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Government (SPLM-IG).
“The SPLA-IO would like to inform its forces, the public, and the international community that the appointment of Lt Gen Koang Gatkuoth Kerjiok to the position of Deputy Chief of Defense Forces was unilaterally done by the CDF of the SSPDF and the SPLM-IG, with the intention of bringing division within the SPLA-IO,” it stated.
The replacement comes amid tensions between SSPDF and SPLA-IO, raising concerns over the fragile security arrangements under the 2018 peace agreement.