Emmanuel Sunday “removes” Malong, declares himself leader of SSUF/A

NAIROBI – The former spokesperson of South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A), Emmanuel Sunday De John, has issued a statement dismissing General Paul Malong Awan and naming himself the interim chairperson of the opposition group.

Sunday’s decision comes a few days after falling out with Malong after allegation of contacts with the National Security Service (NSS) in Juba culminated in his removal as spokesman of the holdout opposition group.

Sunday has denied all those accusations and has accused Malong of being a “dictator.”

In a statement this morning, Sunday said Malong has been removed following a three-day meeting between most senior members of the group because he undermines the movement’s objectives.

“In a sitting by members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the South Sudan United Front/Army on September 23″, 24 25, 2020 it was resolved that Gen. Paul Malong Awan’s role as Chairman and Commander-In-Chief of the South Sudan United Front/Army is terminated effective immediately,” Sunday said in the statement extended to Sudans Post.

The statement said what it calls expulsion “is in accordance with Article 5.11 (d) of the Constitution of South Sudan United Front/Amy (SSUF/A). This decision was reached after thorough deliberation. As per the said deliberation, sufficient grounds were provided as the basis on which his role as a leader could be vitiated.”

The strong-worded statement said Malong who is the former chief of General Staff for the South Sudan army lacks the leadership skills needed in leading an armed opposition group saying he cannot lead even as few as 30 people.

“Gen. Paul Malong Awan has no well-developed policies, strategies and programmes and that his rebellion was only informed by personal sentiments and should cease stagnating the progress of the Movement,” Sunday said.

“Gen. Paul Malong has never shown any vibrancy on leadership and management skills, he could not manage less than thirty (30) people and this has warranted for depletion of the Movement’s pool of powerful leaders and cadres as he embraces the weak and so this must end,” he added.

The statement said Malong was removed because he “only wants members to be around him to further his personal objectives as he awaits the successful outcome of their toil and take credit for that.”

“Gen. Paul Malong Awan has been caught by the cartels and despots that are working for the downfall of the Movement and therefore the Movement must be rescued.

“Gen. Paul Malong Awan is frustrated and is ready to trade the Movement for anything that comes his way. This has been reflected in his apparent desperation as he chases the government of South Sudan in all directions.

“Gen. Paul Malong Awan is practicing tribal and nepotistic corruption, this is seen in appointment of relatives and tribesmen/women.

“He is running SSUF/A not only dictatorially but as family enterprise.

“He is working excessively in undermining the partners in the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) on the basis of them being Non-Dinka. This is in contravention of the principle of nationhood, one people, and one nation as enshrined in the SUFF/A basic documents including its ample Manifesto.

“The National Executive Committee has resolved that SSUF/A will always be part and parcel of SSOMA in conformity with all its basic documents, objectives, policies, strategies and diversity. This in the spirit of nationhood and is in pursuit of achieving a common goal of stable democratic South Sudan.

“The South Sudan United Front/Army commits to Rome Peace Process as part of SSOMA without any tendency to break away from SSOMA in the spirit of self-seeking as was the case with its former leader and is destined to achieve sustainable peace through addressing the root causes of the conflict. I finally call upon the entire SSUF/A membership worldwide to remain claim.”