Juba, South Sudan,
July 03, 2021 – At least two members of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) who recently joined former General Chief of Staff Paul Malong Awan and his South Sudan United Front/Army were avoiding disciplinary measures being taken against them by the SPLM military wing, an army spokesman has said.
Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, the SSPDF Director Spokesman and Director for Media and Press told Nyamilepedia that Maj. Cherey James Gek and Capt. Nyak Wiyoah had administrative issues at their respective commands.
“Maj. Gen. Cherey James Gek and Capt. Nyak Wiyoah defected to SSFU/A. They had administrative issues with their respective commands. They defected to evade administrative measures being taken against them,” Lul told Nyamilepedia via SMS.
On Friday, the South Sudan United Front/Army announced that it has welcomed five senior commanders from the SSPDF and Wiyoah and James were part of those the group mentioned.
Other members the SSUF claimed to have welcomed are Lt. Col Thon Achuilau Dong – (Lakes State), Major Chipak Karay Gai – 1st Infantry Division (Renk), and Capt. Chan Deng Ring – Special Force (Juba).
Maj. Gek and Capt. Winyoah was in charge of – 4th Infantry Division (Unity State) and Mayom Special Operations (Unity state) respectively.
Contrary to earlier the earlier statement by SSUF/A, the spokesperson said he was only aware of the defection of the two officers whose names were supplied, not five.
“They are not five, I only know of two officers who defected from the camp and those were Maj. Gen. Cherey James Gek and Capt. Nyak Wiyoah,” he said.
