JUBA, May 12 (Xinhua) -- South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has appointed Johnson Juma Okot as the country's Chief of Defense Forces, replacing Gabriel Jok Riak who was sacked in a mini reshuffle of military top brass.
In the changes announced on Monday evening by the state-owned broadcaster, South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), Kiir said the sacking of Riak takes effect immediately but did not give reasons for his dismissal.
The new army chief was first promoted from the rank of lieutenant-general to the rank of a general prior to becoming army chief.
Okot, who is the incoming chief of South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF), has been serving as deputy chief of defense forces.
In other changes, Kiir promoted Major General Botrous Bol Bol, Marshal Stephen, Malual Majok to the rank of Lieutenant-General.
He also dismissed lieutenant generals James Gai Yoac, James Kong Kong, and Wang Chiok Koryom from the SSPDF.
Kiir appointed Riak as the new head of the Army in May 2018 to replace the late James Ajongo Mawut, who died in Egypt mid-April in the same year. Enditem
