BREAKING | Ex-army commander General Stephen Buay Rolnyang joins Malong

JUBA – Former South Sudan army commander General Stephen Buay Rolnyang has defected to join the South Sudan United Front/Army led by former army chief General Paul Malong Awan Anei, according to a statement extended to Sudans Post.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post this afternoon, General Buay who was dismissed over unclear reasons by ex-army chief of active military service after being stripped of his rank accused the government and influential South Sudan government official of attacking members of his community in Mayom County.

He said is has switched side to the rebel group led by General Paul Malong Awan Anei with effect from today.

“This is to inform all the people of South Sudan that today, on 3/5/2021, I have joined the South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A) under the leadership of General Paul Malong Awan,” he said in the statement.

The well-respected army commander said attacks have been ongoing from senior members of President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s government and said the commissioner of Mayom county appointed as part of the revitalized peace agreement has attacked a spiritual leader today morning.

“Barbaric attack on the cattle camp of the Spiritual leader today on 3/5/2021, the new commissioner of Mayom County Mr. Chuol Gatluak, brother of security advisor Tut Gatluak has attacked our cattle camp of spiritual leader Gai Machiek Ruathdheal,” Buay said in the statement.

“The fighting which involved the use of government artillery and tanks on the cattle camp lasted for three hours. Many people killed and wounded in the attack. The commissioner was ordered by his brother Tut Gatluak to mobilize all the Bul armed youths into what is so- called Bul Rapid support forces ( RSF), but the armed youths of this cattle camp refused to be mobilized and as a result the commissioner ordered the forces to attack the cattle camp,” he added.

Buay further said the country’s presidency has been taken over by remnants of National Congress Party led by ex-Sudanese president Omar Hassan Ahmed al Bashir which he said is being spearheaded by Kiir’s presidential security advisor Tut Gatluak, among other senior government officials.

“The presidential palace of this country has been captured by the elements of the National Congress Party group led by Security Advisor Tut Gatluak Manime and his team including Hon. Dhieu Mathok, Hon. Joseph Monytuil Wicjang, the governor of unity state, Hon. Tong Akeen, the governor of Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Hon. Dak Duop Bichok and Hon. Mayik Ayii,” he said.