South Sudanese national army (SPLA) Chief of General Staff Paul Malong Awan has been fired and replaced with James Ajongo Awut, according to a decree broadcasted live on the state-controlled South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation Television (SSBCTV).
Tension is very high in Juba as soldiers loyal to President Kiir are deployed on Juba streets and plainclothes national security agents drive in and around the capital telling people to go inside their houses.
Local media reported that a senior government official said that any politician from Aweil community suspected of being a supporter of the sacked army General has been detained.
The official added that nobody knows what will happen as factions of the SPLA loyal to Awan have also blocked roads leading to Awan’s residence, warning, “If he [Awan] refuses to surrender his power peacefully, then Juba could burn.”
The decree was broadcasted at 8:10pm, South Sudan local time.
It is not clear what caused Gen. Awan’s removal, however, rumors about Awan wanting to overthrow Kiir’s government have been swirling in Juba.
