South Sudan’s First Vice President Taban Deng Gai announced the promotion of two senior SPLA-IO military officials to the rank of major general in Juba yesterday.
The two senior officials are Samuel Bidit Puot and Okot David, who recently defected from former first vice president Riek Machar.
In his statement, SPLA-IO military spokesman Dickson Gatluak Jok said the two new generals were promoted to go to reorganize the SPLA-IO forces. “We really appreciate the decision that has been taken by the First Vice President for making this mission successful,” he said.
General Okot was one of the well-known generals within Machar SPLA-IO faction before his defection to Taban Deng’s group in Juba. He was a commander in charge of Magwi Brigade 9th in Anyanya division in Eastern Equatoria.