Magenis, South Sudan,
May 19, 2021 — Latest reports from SPLA-IO Sector One(1) headquarters in northern Upper Nile confirmed the suspension of Dr. Machar’s right man, the Director of Military Intelligence (MI), Maj.General Dhiling Keak Chuol, who has been severally accused of mismanagement of resources and harassment of senior officers at Machar’s backyard.
Announcing the report 30 minutes ago, the military spokesman of the SPLM/A-IO said the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual, has suspended Maj. Gen. Dhilling Keah and dissolved all his pending assignments.
“The Office of the SPLA (IO) Military Spokesperson, would like to inform the 8 sectors, divisions, brigades and the battalions, all under the people’s movement that, the leadership of Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition SPLA-(IO) headed by Chief of General Staff, First Lieutenant General, Simon Gatwech Dual, held a very fruitful meeting at Magenis, Sector one (1) HQs.” Brig. Gen. William Gatjiath Deng announced.
“The resolution of the meeting once, and for all, had spelled out and solemnly involved the suspension of Director for Military Intelligence (MI) Maj.General Dhiling Keak Chuol, from his position with an immediate effect, and also dissolved all the deployments that he had installed in all sectors, divisions, brigades and battalions as to avoid overlapping and sabotages.” Gatjiath continued.
Brig. Gen. Gatjiath confirmed that the SPLM/A-IO military wing has appointed Maj. Gen. Marco Liah Chany to act as the Director of Military Intelligence in the SPLA-IO General Headquarters.
“Therefore, in the same order, the leadership has appointed Maj.General Marco Liah Chany, as an acting Director of Military Intelligence (MI) in the SPLA (IO) GHQs.” The report continued.
According to the SPLA-IO spokesman, the suspension came after the military leadership of the main armed opposition established numerous accusations against the former Director of Military Intelligence saying that he must not be allowed to continue serving in the same assignment.
“The suspension of the director for Military Intelligence (MI) came after the military leadership had counted and labeled series charges that he had committed during his range in the office and he must not be allowed to continue serving in the same position in the movement unless otherwise, things may change.” SPLA-IO said.
“So from today onwards, any military intelligence (MI) officer, found violating this order, or still reporting to General Dhiling Keak Chuol, as seems to ignores the order, must be held accountable or shall be arrested by the area commander concerned.” the statement further added.
At the time this report was announced, it was still 5 am and Machar’s office in Juba could not be reached to respond to this developing story.
Maj. Gen. Dhilling was promoted and appointed by Dr. Machar into this position in 2014 and it remains unclear if the Chairman has been consulted and whether or not he will agree to this suspension.
The SPLM-IO in Juba and its military wing at the frontline have had rough relationship since Machar traveled to Juba as gap between them seems to be widening.
The military leadership has called on Dr. Machar to travel to their headquarters to meet the military leadership but their calls felt on deaf ears.
