South Sudan army chief ill, seeks treatment abroad

South Sudan’s army chief, Gen. James Ajongo Mawut, is sick, a spokesman for the SPLA army has confirmed.

Ajongo has not been sighted lately at the army headquarters in the nation’s capital Juba.

SPLA’s spokesman Lul Ruai Koang told Radio Tamazuj on Sunday that the country’s military chief was responding to treatment abroad.

Although none of the government officials could confirm the hospital where Ajongo is receiving medical attention, the military spokesman said Ajongo is recovering.

Lul said the illness was responsible for Ajongo’s absence in the ministry of defense. “I have briefed the officers and I have informed them that our chief of defense forces is recovering and he will come back to Juba soon,” he said.

“During the liberation struggle, Gen. James Ajongo was shot in the leg. Two months ago, he went to South Africa for operation and afterwards, he went to Nairobi. Recently, he travelled to another country which is secure but I cannot disclose it for security reasons,” Lul explained.

He pointed out that Ajongo’s absence will not affect the military since his top aides are there. “Gen. Ajongo cannot be replaced because of his sickness for a short period of time,” he said, “Gen. Ajongo is not in critical condition.”

Family members could not immediately be reached on the telephone for comments on Ajongo’s health condition.

But multiple sources said Gen. Ajongo is currently receiving treatment at a military hospital in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.