Kiir replaces General Jok Riak as army chief
General Gabriel Jok Riak Makol taking oath of office at the state house on May 4th, 2018(Photo credit: file)
May 11, 2020 (SSNN) – South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir Mayardit, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) has relieved General Gabriel Jok Riak as the country’s army chief.
In an order read out on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), Kiir appointed General Johnson Juma Okot as the new army chief effective from today.
No reason was given for the replacement.
In a separate order, Kiir relieved General Gai Yoai Dong, General James Kongkong Bol and Wang Chiok from their duties and promoted Maj. Gen. Butorus Bol Bol, Maj. Gen. Marshal Stephen and Maj. Gen. Malual Majok to the rank of Lieutenant General.
There was no immediate reaction from General Jok Riak’s office as mixed reactions engulf his relieve on the social media with supporters and those against his relieve expressing different views on.
“Gabriel Jok Riak you killed us! Thank you President
Kiir,” one social media users and a likely opposer to General Jok Riak wrote on Facebook following the releive.
“Gen. Gabriel Jok Riak as the SSPDF CDF. An intellectual, professional and disciplined officer. I had an honor of working with him at SDSRB,” wrote one opposition member on social media.
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