January 24th 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – South Sudan President and the Commander in Chief of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, Salva Kiir Mayardiit, on Thursday awarded medals to former members of SPLM/SPLA military high command.
The award, according to the South Sudan Presidency is in appreciation for their service during the 21 year old civil war which brought about independence to South Sudan.
According to a statement issued by the South Sudan Presidency, those awarded include “Vice President Dr. James Wani Igga, Presidential advisor for Military affairs Gen. Daniel Awet Akot, the Minister of Defense, Hon. Engineer Kuol Manyang Juuk, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nhial Deng Nhial, the governor of Fangak state Gen. John Kong Nyuon and the Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Gabriel Jok Riak.”
In an address at the army headquarters in Bilpam on Thursday, Kiir urged the army to be “vigilant and stick to their constitutional mandate of protecting the national integrity and work for the development of the nation.”
