Lt. Gen. Koang Gatkuoth Kerjiok the Acting Chief of General Staff for Sudan People Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLA-IO) has assumed office as Acting Deputy Chief of Defence Forces for South Sudan Peoples Defense forces (SSPDF).
Lt. Gen. Gatkuoth replaced Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, the SPLA-IO Chief of General staff who was detained over Nasir confrontations.
Gen. Duop, who is currently under arrest in Juba, is affiliated with the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) and serves as the Deputy Chief of the Defence Forces for Operations.
According to the statement extended to the media Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang the SSPDF spokesperson expressed that Gen Lt. Gen. Gatkuoth assumed office and would be able to start his duties.
As Part of the efforts deescalate the current tension among the peace parties, the current deputy Chief of defense force who is from SPLA-IO would play a role in ensuring that calm return.
The Army spokesperson confirmed that the SPLA-IO top military officer assumed his office and would be able to ensure he discharge his role.
“Lt. Gen. Koang Gatkuoth Kerjiok, Acting Deputy Chief of Defence Forces for SSPDF, who also doubles as the ActingChief of General Staff for SPLA-IO, has, as of today, April 2nd, 2025, officially taken over the mantle of Command and has immediately started to discharge and perform functions/ duties assigned to him” Lul said.
However, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) strongly criticized the appointment.
In a press statement, SPLA-IO denounced the move as a unilateral decision made by the SSPDF leadership and the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Government (SPLM-IG).
“The SPLA-IO would like to inform its forces, the public, and the international community that the appointment of Lt Gen Koang Gatkuoth Kerjiok to the position of Deputy Chief of Defense Forces was unilaterally done by the CDF of the SSPDF and the SPLM-IG, with the intention of bringing division within the SPLA-IO,” it stated.
The replacement comes amid tensions between SSPDF and SPLA-IO, raising concerns over the fragile security arrangements under the 2018 peace agreement.
