Africa-Press – South-Sudan. A South Sudan opposition commander allied to the country’s former army chief Gen. Paul Malong Awan has switched his allegiance to join the main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, saying Malong lacks vision to lead the movement and the country.
In a statement extended to Sudans Post, Lieutenant General Obac Walter said he and ten other senior members of South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A) previously loyal to Malong have decided to leave the former army chief because he has also been running the opposition movement outside the leadership box.
“We the members of South Sudan United Front/Army do hereby switch our allegiance to the SPLM/A-IO under the leadership of H.E Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, Chairman and Commander in Chief of the SPLM/A-IO and the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan,” he said in the statement this evening.
The group said General Malong who is also the leader of the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) faction which include Real-SPLM of former SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum, does not have a “clear vision and mission” to lead a viable opposition group that can effect change in South Sudan.
Other senior members of the group who defected with him include Major General Angelo Amum and General Chuol Bilieu. They said they have ceased to be members in the Malong-led movement effective today, September 17, 2021.
