Tension has engulfed South Sudan over former military chief, Gen Paul Malong’s recent visit to Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan.
The Presidential Press Secretary, Mr Ateny Wek Ateny, alleged in Juba Monday that Gen Malong was in Khartoum to seek support for his subversive activities against the Juba administration.
“We are not surprised by his visit to Khartoum. The visit is an attempt to fight the government of South Sudan,” he told the Africa Review.
Gen Malong flew to Khartoum from Nairobi last week, but the reasons for his visit were unknown.
Juba is worried that the influential former military boss could cause political turmoil and security ahead of the High Level Revitalisation Forum due to resume in Addis Ababa soon.
“He had already started subversive activities against the government. So, it means he is in Khartoum for that mission,” Mr Ateny said.
President Salva Kiir in January declared Gen Malong a rebel after an alleged leaked audio tape revealed his intention to attack Juba and Wau towns in an attempt to overthrow the government.
Mr Ateny claimed that the audio tape alone was sufficient proof that the former controversial commander had turned into a rebel.
Relations between Gen Malong and President Kiir deteriorated after the former was sacked from his post as Army Chief of Staff in May 2017 and placed under house arrest for fear he would foment a rebellion.
South Sudan President Salva Kiir and former army chief of staff Paul Malong Awan
Relations between Gen Malong and President Kiir deteriorated after the former was sacked from his post as Army Chief of Staff in May 2017 and placed under house arrest for fear he would foment a rebellion.
Gen Malong was freed in November following mediation led by the Jieng Council of Elders. The agreement refrained him from going to his home-town of Aweil in the former Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State, but he was free to travel to any East Africa country.
Awan left Juba in November 2017 as part of an elders-brokered deal following days of standoff between his guards and the government forces. At the time, President Salva Kiir ordered to disarm him and reduce the number of guards permitted according to the guiding military rules and regulations which allow up to a maximum of 6 guards and minimum 2 of armed soldiers.
He left South Sudanese capital, Juba on a travel permit meant to be used for travel legs showing Juba, Nairobi, Kenya and Kampala in Uganda.
The former military officer did not acquire regular passport at the time of his travel and it is unclear whether or not he acquired a new passport.
Observers see Awan as a bitter man who may want to exert any effort to draw the attention of the president to his grievances.
