On 30 Oct, according to the document obtained by SBS Dinka, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit issued a republican order number 26/2017 for the Issuance of orders to the Chief of Defence Forces of the SPLA, 2017. The 7 orders in the Republican decree gives the SPLA the authority to confiscated guns, communications devices, reject relatives from entering the compound of the former head of the army and allow them to disarm his bodyguards. The first post on Facebook was made by Malong elder’s son Anei.
“November 3rd, 2017: The government has escalated its move against my father Gen. Paul Malong Awan by removing his privileges. This afternoon my father was informed he must release his bodyguards to their units, surrender his cellphones, guns and that all visitations of any kind to him including those from family members children and wives are not permitted except with approval from the authorities. This message was delivered by Lt. Gen. Magar Buong Aluenge on behalf of the SPLA Commander in Chief and the President of the Republic of South Sudan, Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit. Lt. Gen. Buong was accompanied by the Director General of Military Intelligence. Since we are all in the dark on the reasons behind this escalation, I am informing the public of this move to ensure that they are in the know in case of further escalations.”
SBS Dinka has not verified the authenticity of the order but the interview with Paul Malong’s wife Lucy Ayak confirmed the situation. Lucy Ayak said that her husband met Mangar Buong from 2.30pm Juba local time to about 8pm. Malong’s bodyguards refused to be disarmed and none of the wives was forced out. Ayak said he is worried and don’t know what will happen tonight.
“I am very worried, this is another escalation or the Government needs to provoke the situation in order to kill my husband. And if anything bad happened to him, we will hold President Kiir responsible for all these. Now the compound is surrounded by over 500 soldiers and you have seen the orders. Any attempt to resist by any soldier would be fighting. Why are we doing this again?”
Listen to the interview on SBS Dinka Radio at 11am Saturday or download SBS Radio app. The audio would be available soon.
