Juba, South Sudan
April 13, 2022 — South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit issued a republican decree today confirming the ranks of some senior officers of the SPLA-IO and SSOA in the process to form the unified army, SSNPS, NSS, Civil Defense and the Wildlife.
In a series of Republican decrees read out on the state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Tuesday evening, President confirmed Gen. Santino Deng Wol on his post as the Chief of Defense Forces.
He appointed Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam of the SPLA (IO) as the deputy Chief of Defense Forces, replacing Maj. Gen. Thoi Chany.
Kiir also issued orders appointing Gen. Koang Gatkuoth as the Inspector General of the SSPDF, Gen. Thoi Chany, Assistant CDF for Operations, Gen. James Koang, Assistant CDF for Training and Research.
He appointed Gen. Stephen M. Babanen as Chief of Military Intelligence, Gen. Malual Majok Assistant CDF for Administration, Personnel and Finance.
Gen. Wesley Welbe was appointed Assistant CDF for Logistics.
President Kiir has also unified the command structure of the National Police Service.
Gen. Benjamin John has been appointed as the Assistant IGP for Social Welfare, Gen. James Duop Assistant IGP for Training, among others.
Kiir maintained Gen. Akol Koor on his position as the Director General of the National Security Service, Internal Bureau (ISB)
Meanwhile he appointed Gen. Ayei Dak as the Deputy Director General for Intelligence Operation, and Gen. Louis Natale, the Deputy Director General for Administration and Finance.
The command structure of the army has been one of the contentious issues between parties to the R-ARCSS in the agreement and its implementation last night will pave a way to graduation of awaited Necessary Unified Forces.
