Dau was sworn in on Thursday, a day after the country commemorated its 14th independence anniversary, and three days after his appointment to replace Gen. Paul Nang Majok, who served in that role for less than a year.
In his address at the swearing-in ceremony held at the State House, Kiir emphasised the urgency of eliminating “ghost names” from the military payroll and improving the welfare of soldiers across all ranks.
“This is a position of great responsibility, and I trust in your ability to serve with loyalty, discipline, and vision,” Kiir told Gen. Dau.
The Head of State outlined a clear roadmap for the new army chief, urging him to focus on key priorities, including but not limited to eliminating ghost names from the SSPDF payroll to ensure funds reach active personnel, securing reliable food and fuel supplies, and unifying the SSPDF as a constitutional, and people-serving force.
Mr. Dau has also been tasked with enhancing regional and international military cooperation and ensuring leadership development and discipline among the army.
In his maiden remarks, Gen. Dau pledged to lead with integrity, uphold the army’s constitutional role, and protect national sovereignty and citizens.
A brief about Gen. Dau
Gen. Dau is a South Sudanese military officer and political figure from Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, born in Gokmachar Village. He has had a significant career in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and South Sudanese politics.
Academically, Dau attended Gokmachar Primary School from 1972 to 1977, earning a Primary School Certificate before graduating from Aweil Junior Secondary School in 1980 and progressing to Nyamellel Senior Secondary School from 1980 to 1982.
In 1983, Aturjong joined the Anya-Nya II Movement, which later became the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/SPLM), interrupting his pursuit of higher education to fight against the Khartoum regime’s marginalisation of Southern Sudan.
In 1984, he attended the SPLA Military College in Bonga, Ethiopia, graduating as a 1st Lieutenant in the Shield One cadre, and he was deployed to the Upper Nile region, where he fought successful battles in Jekou and Malual Gaouthoi.
The following year, he served as Deputy Commander of the Nile Battalion in Eastern Bahr el Ghazal (Abyei and Twic areas) before becoming the Commander of the Nile Battalion in 1987.
Other Dau’s notable achievements include rising to the rank of Major General in the SPLA due to his commitment and leadership, commanding the SPLA forces in Northern Bahr el Ghazal in the 1990s, and swapping roles with Gen. Paul Malong Awan.
He was also the architect of the 1991 peace agreement between the Dinka-Malual and Messiria tribes in Wardong, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, fostering positive relations.
In 2018, he took command of the SPLA’s Third Infantry Division in the greater Bahr el Ghazal region, succeeding Gen. Santino Deng Wol.
But Dau’s military career was not all rosy. In May 2014, Dau defected to the SPLM-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO), led by Dr. Riek Machar, citing the “hijacking” of the SPLM/A movement after the death of Dr. John Garang in 2005 and accusing President Salva Kiir of dictatorial leadership.
He announced his defection in Nairobi, Kenya, claiming to have brought other former army officers and diaspora leaders from his state. His defection was controversial, with critics arguing it was driven by personal grievances and political opportunism rather than ideological differences, particularly his rivalry with Malong Awan.
In July 2016, Dau and his forces rejoined the SPLA in Northern Bahr el Ghazal after splitting from the SPLM-IO, citing Riek Machar’s lack of commitment to the 2015 peace agreement. His troops, numbering around 1,500, were integrated into the SPLA in Gok Machar.
In Mr. Dau, Kiir is entrusting the national army in the hands of an unpredictable and controversial ally whose actions could shape the SSPDF for the better or worse.
