South Sudan People’s Defence Force’s Spokesperson General. Lul Ruai Koang has refuted any link between the reshuffling of the SSPDF command with the political environment in the country.
On Monday, the Chief of South Sudan People’s Defence Forces reshuffled senior officers of the army. General Koang describes the changes in Bilpam as routine.
He says the reassignment of senior army officers is always done by the Chief of Defence Forces with approval from the Commander in Chief.
“The reshuffling of the SSPDF command is a routine reassignment of the senior army officers and it’s the work of the chief of defence’s forces with approval from the commander in chief whenever there is a need for minor or major changes to be made.”
The spokesperson adds that the reassignments that took place on Monday were minor and were made to five positions.
He says the minor reassignment includes the Commander of Ground Forces who was swapped with the Commander of Military Production.
The Assistant Chief of Procurement was swapped with the Commander of Riverine, and the Chief of Administration was exchanged with the Deputy Commander of Ground Forces.
“Basically about four or five positions were swapped, Lt. Gen. Thiik Achiek Hol Jok, the Commander of Ground Forces was swapped with Lt. Gen Thayip Gatluak who was the Director General of Military Productions.”
Major General Angelo Jongkuch Jool, who served as the SSPDF Chief for Administration swapped with Major General Magok Magok Deng, the Deputy Commander of Ground Forces. And the Commander of Riverine Lieutenant General Garang Ayii Akol Agany, with the Director General of Procurement, Lieutenant General Ernest Dud Wol Upiau.”
Speaking to Catholic Radio Network, General Lul states that the primary intention of reassigning officers to various areas of command and responsibility is to inject new skills.
“You know the primary intention of reassigning officers to various areas of command and responsibility is for them to inject new skills or new ideas or for them as well to keep on acquiring more experience in every area.”
Our intention is to make our senior officers effective in every sector, “the SSPDF spokesperson says.”
Ruai clarifies that reshuffling of the commands happens at any time citing that there are no time frames.
The spokesperson made this statement to Catholic Radio Network, in a phone interview on Wednesday in Juba.