Nov 14, 2017(Nyamilepedia) — South Sudan’s former Chief of General Staff of the SPLA, Lt. Gen. Paul Malong Awan, has strike a deal with President Kiir Mayardit on his release.
According to a letter authored by Dr. Francis Mading Deng, the Deputy Chairman and acting chairman of the “Committee of the Concern Citizens for Peace”, Press Salva Kiir has granted Gen. Malong’s freedom and allowed him to travel to any neighboring country of his choice.
“The President has freed Malong to go to any country of his choice, which was his principle request, and he is free to return at will.” Read part of the letter extended to Nyamilepedia Press.
Dr. Mading has also reiterates that Malong has assured the president that he won’t rebel or engage in any subversive activities against the State.
The concern elders appreciate both the president and Gen. Malong for engaging in a peaceful resolution to avert another explosion of violence in which many people including children and women would have fallen victims.
“We, members of the Committee of the Concerned Citizens for Peace that interceded to resolve the crisis involving the former Chief of General Staff, General Paul Malong Awan, would like to publicly acknowledge, with deep appreciate and gratitude, the wise leadership, statesmanship, and magnanimity that President Salva Kiir Mayardit has demonstrated in resolving the crisis peacefully” Said the acting Chairman of the Concern Citizens Committee for Peace, Dr. Francis Mading.
“We wish to express our appreciation to General Malong for his cooperation in ending this crisis” the Jieng Elders continued.
The regime has withdrawn its tanks, which surrounded Gen. Malong’s house, two days ago and with this assurance Gen. Malong could leave the capital any time soon, however, where he will head to is yet to be seen.
Despite this assurance the concerned elders did not mention what is likely to happen to Gen. Malong’s bodyguards and security officers who are currently detained in the capital, Juba.
Malong has agreed to let go his immediate bodyguards for the army to redeploy them to different units but he also called for release of his officers who accompanied him to Yirol in May and were arrested upon his return.
Gen. Malong is free to travel, however, he is banned by Kiir’s government from traveling to his hometown which has been his main priority since May, 2017.
The Former Chief of General Staff could not accompany his own daughter, who died in Kenyan schools, to his hometown, Aweil.
Malong is also sanctioned by the American and Canadian government, and whether he will be cleared at East African airports remain to be seen.
So far the IGAD region and the International Community have remained silent on this matter leaving the general in confusion on when and where to travel to.
