Malong’s SSUF/A threatens lawsuit against Emmanuel Sunday

NAIROBI- The South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A) led by South Sudan’s former army chief, General Paul Malong Awan, has threatened to lodge legal action against its former spokesman Emmanuel Sunday De John upon refusal to handover properties belonging to the group.

Earlier today, Sunday announced in a statement that he and unnamed members of the group have removed Malong as the Chairman of the armed opposition movement claiming that the former army chief has betrayed the cause of the group.

In his statement, Sunday who named himself the “interim chairman” accused Malong of colluding with the government in Juba and betraying the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) to which Malong is a founding member.

In a statement this afternoon, Nyamach Nyang Chuol, the newly-appointed spokeswoman of the SSUF/A said Sunday is no longer a spokesman for the group and asked him to return all properties belonging to the movement.

“I am hereby informing the General Public that Sunday is no longer holding the position of the Secretary of Information and Communication Technology and he is not the Spokesman of South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A),” Nyamach said.

“The official National Executive Committee of South Sudan United Front/Army is hereby requesting Sunday De John Along to handover the Office of the Chairman letterheads, Stamps, Computer, Archives and all office material that are still in his possession peacefully,” she added.

The senior opposition official further threatened to take legal proceedings against Sunday upon refusal to comply with the request reiterating that the leadership of the group has remained behind Malong despite his earlier claims that he has been removed saying Sunday’s removal is within the powers of Malong.

“Failure to handover the requested items within 72 hours of this letter will result in legal action against him,” she said.

“South Sudan United Front/Army legitimate leader the Chairman and Commander-in-Chief is General Paul Malong Awan and it is his prerogative to suspend or dismiss a member for breaching the code of conduct, which Sunday De John did by leaking sensitive administrative documents as a mole,” she added.

She further warned Sunday against the use of stamp and heading paper in the meantime for personal use.

“South Sudan United Front/Army urges Sunday De John to seize from using the office of the Chairman letter heads and stamps as his own with immediate effect and would like to appreciate him for his contribution to the movement in his former position,” she further said.