BREAKING: Kiir appoints ex-SPLA-IO commander to senior army position

June 12, 2020 Breaking News, News, Newsbeat, South Sudan

Former SPLA-IO deputy chief of staff for administration and now deputy SSPDF chief of staff for training Lt. Gen. Koang Chuol Ranley (Photo credit: unknown)

June 12, 2020 (SSNN) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the Commander in Chief of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) has this afternoon appointed former SPLA-IO deputy chief of staff for administration, Gen. Koang Chuol Ranley, to a senior army position, according to a document obtained by South Sudan News Now.

According to the document signed by the army chief, Gen. Johnson Juma Akot, Gen. Koang is now the new deputy army chief for training.

The order which is attached here also restructured the SSPDF command with most senior army generals maintaining their positions.

General Koang is the former SPLA-IO deputy chief of staff for administration and finance who defected earlier this year from the former rebel movement to President Salva Kiir Mayardit after falling out with first vice president and SPLM-IO leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny over issues he said were turning the group into a family property.

The new SSPDF command now is as follow:

Gen. Johnson Juma Okot – Chief of Defense Forces

Lt. Gen. Chol Thon Balok – Deputy Chief of Defense Forces

Lt. Gen. Charles Madut Akol – Inspector General (IG)

Lt. Gen. Santino Deng Wol – Administration and Finance

Lt. Gen. Thoi Chany Reat – Logistics and Procurement

Lt. Gen. Peter Dor – Riverine

Lt. Gen. Rin Tueny Mabor – Chief of Military Intelligence

Lt. Gen. Marshal Stephen Bababen – Military Operations

Lt. Gen. Malual Majok Chiengkuac Jok – Moral Orientation and Chaplainship

Lt. Gen. Butruce Bol Bol – Ground Forces

Lt. Gen. James Koang Chuol – Training