NAIROBI: South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has fired the country’s army chief after seven months in the post and named a replacement, according to an announcement on state radio.
No reason was given for the firing of Paul Nang Majok in the announcement late on Monday. Majok had been in the post since December. The announcement said Kiir had appointed Dau Aturjong as the Chief of Defense Forces.
Majok was in charge of the army while fighting raged between the army and the White Army, an ethnic militia largely comprising Nuer youths, triggering the country’s latest political crisis.
“There has been a tradition that when you are appointed, or reassigned there are no reasons (given) for getting appointed and there are no reasons given for getting relieved. It is normal,” said Lul Ruai Koang, South Sudan army spokesperson.
South Sudan has been formally at peace since a 2018 deal ended the five-year conflict responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths, but violence between rival communities flares frequently.
In March, First Vice President Riek Machar was put under house arrest, stirring fears of renewed conflict.
Information Minister Michael Makuei said the arrest was due to Machar contacting his supporters and “agitating them to rebel against the government with the aim of disrupting peace so that elections are not held and South Sudan goes back to war.”
Machar’s party has previously denied government accusations that it backs the White Army, which clashed with the army in the northeastern town of Nasir in March. In May, South Sudan’s army said it had recaptured the town from the White Army.
South Sudan’s president fires army chief after seven months in post
https://arab.news/83sbx
South Sudan’s president fires army chief after seven months in post
- No reason was given for the firing of army chief Paul Nang Majok
As Indian PM concludes visit to Jordan, the countries agree to strengthen cooperation
- India ranks as Jordan’s third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade valued at $2.3bn in 2024
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds expansive talks with King Abdullah as their countries celebrate 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations,
LONDON: Jordan and India agreed on Tuesday to enhance cooperation in various sectors, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a two-day official visit to the Middle Eastern country.
Modi’s trip coincided with the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries, and he held expansive talks with King Abdullah.
On Tuesday, the leaders attended the India-Jordan Business Forum in Amman, an event organized by the Jordan Chamber of Commerce that included representatives from more than 20 leading Indian companies.
In a joint statement, the countries affirmed their commitment to the strengthening of cooperation in the political, economic, defense, security, culture and education sectors, among others.
Trade between Jordan and India was valued at $2.3 billion in 2024, ranking India as Jordan’s third-largest trading partner. The countries agreed to convene the 11th Trade and Economic Joint Committee in early 2026 to monitor progress in economic relations, and facilitate information sharing to ensure proper enforcement of customs laws and tackle offenses.
They emphasized Jordan’s strategic geographic location and its advanced logistics capabilities, and agreed to collaborate in a number of fields, including education, digital public infrastructure, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and food security.
Modi and King Abdullah welcomed the signing of memorandums of understanding on the management of water resources and new and renewable energy. They discussed the enhancement of collaboration on issues such as climate change, sustainable development and renewable energy, the Jordan News Agency reported.
They also hailed the increasing cultural exchanges between India and Jordan, and the renewal of the bilateral Cultural Exchange Programme for the period from 2025 to 2029.
