SSUF/A claims defected spokesperson had no military rank
The South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUFA/A) Deputy Military Spokesperson Maj. Philip Deng Kuol Nguot has hit back their former spokesperson David Deng Chapath, claiming the latter had no military rank when he defected from SSUF/A.
He claimed that Chapath was in the political wing of their movement and not the military one and therefore had no military rank in SSUF/A. He added that he was brought up by Malong, including paying his school fees and awarding him positions.
“Deng was in the political wing, not the military. He wasn’t enrolled in military officers’ ranks and files, nor was he commissioned. The rank of Lt. Colonel which he claimed after his defection from us is a pure forgery,” read the statement.
Philip claimed that Morgan Malith Maker was the only person who defected from them with the rank of 2nd Lt. and that they did not have any other promotions apart from the one they had on July 9, 2020.
“Notwithstanding, SSUF/A military wing didn’t commission any officers apart from the general promotion of July 9, 2020, endorsed by the chairman and commander in Chief General Paul Malong Awan Anei,” the statement continued.
“It’s therefore, up to the government to give any ranks to the officers but with reservation of the self-promoted individuals using our organization. We equally do various background checks on the officers who join us from government-organized forces before we confirm or promote them.”
Chapath was replaced last week by Garang Malual Deng as the new spokesperson. Philip boasted that Garang was more competent than Chapath and was fit to hold the hot seat vacated by Chapath.
Warning against SSUF/A
The former SSUF/A spokesperson David Deng Chapath after switching allegiance to the government warned the citizens against joining SSUF/A.
He apologised to the citizens that he had made a wrong decision to join Malong and therefore no other person should take his place.
“However, it is not too late to make amends by saying to all those I have wronged that I am very sorry. I have unconditionally apologised and asked all those I have hurt to forgive me and to trust me. I can maintain trust once I have agreed with a person, ” he said.
“I would like to warn all those who have in mind to join Gen. Malong Awan to learn from me to avoid regretting later as I did later,” Deng stressed.
He said that Malong did not appreciate his efforts and therefore treated him with contempt and disdain.
“Sadly, I gave my trust to Gen Malong Awan and, in the course of supporting him, I hurt some of my relatives, friends, government officials, and some members of the public, but General Malong Awan betrayed me, ” he said.
“I, therefore, decided to call it a day and join the Government of South Sudan under the able leadership of His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit. Since I have wronged some people on the wrong mission led by the wrong leader, this apology is for my bad behaviour for hurting the right people. I was wrong without detecting it earlier,” Deng added.
Rome talks
SSUF/A and Real SPLM hold talks with the government under the mediation of the community of Sant’Egidio.
In mid-December, it was resolved in a workshop in Nairobi that Real SPLM, led by Pagan Amum, and SSUF/A, led by Paul Malong, would be included in the ceasefire monitoring mechanism in March 2022.
They said they were only waiting for Rome Talks to resume especially when the date is communicated.
