March 20th 2020 (Nyamilepedia) – South Sudan’s main armed opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny has replaced military officers who defected this week to the SSPDF under president Salva Kiir.
This comes one day after opposition military chief Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual assured Machar of support following the defection led by SPLA-IO deputy chief of staff Gen. James Koang Chuol.
In a statement this evening, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, the deputy spokesman of the main armed opposition group said Machar who is also the country’s First Vice President replaced senior opposition military officers who were serving in the joint security mechanisms implementing the security arrangements.
The new appointment includes Maj. Gen. Moses Lokujo who will command the opposition forces of Division 2B, Maj. Gen. Simon Samuel Ali who will command Division 9B.
Machar also assigned new military officers in the peace mechanisms. These are Lt. Gen. Koang Gatkuoth Kerjok who replaces Maj. Gen. Gatkhor Gatluak as JMCC Co-Chair, Maj. Gen. Ladu Tongun who replaces Maj. Gen. Joseph Yata as member of JDB.
