The President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, has dismissed the country’s army chief just seven months after his appointment and named a new replacement, according to the national broadcaster.
No official reason was given for the dismissal of Gen. Paul Nang Majok, who had held the position since December, as announced late Monday night.
The announcement stated that President Kiir appointed Dau Aturjong as the new chief of the army. Gen. Majok had been leading the military during intense clashes with White Army rebels, a group mainly composed of Nuer youth, which has again stirred political tensions in the country.
Army spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang commented:
“There’s a culture here — when you’re appointed or removed, no reason is given. It’s normal.”
South Sudan has remained relatively peaceful since a 2018 peace deal ended a five-year conflict that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. However, inter-ethnic violence continues to escalate.
In March, First Vice President Riek Machar was placed under temporary house arrest, sparking fears of renewed conflict.
Information Minister Michael Makuei said the action was taken because Machar had mobilized his supporters and
“encouraged rebellion against the government to disrupt peace and sabotage the upcoming elections so that South Sudan could return to war.”
Machar’s party denied the government’s claims that it was supporting the White Army rebels, who had clashed with government forces in the northeastern city of Nasir in March.
In May, the South Sudanese army claimed it had recaptured Nasir from the White Army.
