Nairobi Declaration

South Sudanese peace process

This article is about the 2023 South Sudanese declaration. For the 2022 Tigray War treaty, see Ethiopia–Tigray peace agreement § Nairobi Declaration.

Nairobi Declaration

Leader| Dickson Gatluak Jock
Dates of operation| 28 January 2023
Active regions| South Sudan
Ideology| anti-government
Status| Ongoing
Opponents| Paul Malong Awan
Battles and wars| South Sudanese Civil War

The Nairobi Declaration (Arabic إعــــــــــلان نيـــــــروبي) is an ongoing attempt by a group of South Sudanese military officials led by rebel deputy chief of staff Dickson Gatluak Jock to remove Paul Malong Awan as leader of the opposition South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A).[1][2][3] The officers according to the declaration accused Malong of being "incompetent" to lead and has not been able to meet his troops on the ground.[4]

## Background

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From the formation of SSUF/A back in 2018 following his 2017 fallout with President Salva Kiir Mayardit to his attempted ouster on January 28, 2023, Malong has entirely based in Nairobi, unable to see his troops on the ground. This angered most of his allies who either switched side to join Kiir’s government or join the National Salvation Front (NAS) led by Thomas Cirilo.[5][6][7][8]

Since then, several military and political officials of the group have either split to form factions of their own or join the government of President Salva Kiir. Recent defections include that of the SSUF/A spokesman Chol Duang, who retired from politics and returned to Juba, and Sunday De John who broke away to form a faction of his own.[9][10]

## The Declaration

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At 5:00PM on Saturday, 28 January 2023, Dickson and a group of senior military and political officers including the deputy chairman of SSUF announced Malong's ouster, and accused him of "running the movement single-handedly" and stated that international sanctions imposed on him have gravely affected the movement.[2][1]

Malong responded in a statement and expelled the officers, accusing them of having been caught red-handed engaging with South Sudan unity government in Juba.[3]

## Aftermath

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The declaration by the group led to the defection of a group of military officers abandoning Malong and joining Dickson Gatluak and his officers.[11]

## References

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1. ^ a b "South Sudan United Front Leadership Ousts Gen.Paul Malong Awan In A Nairobi Declaration". The Sun Weekly. 2023-01-29. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
2. ^ a b "Rebel generals led by Dickson Gatluak Jock removes Malong, open for talks with Kiir". Sudans Post. 2023-01-28. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
3. ^ a b Joshua, Elvince (2023-01-30). "Malong fires generals in retaliation for 'Nairobi Coup'". The City Review South Sudan. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
4. ^ Tribune, Sudan. "SSUF/A leader expels five members, downplays ouster". Sudan Tribune.
5. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Ex-South Sudan envoy to Russia Telar Ring to return to Kiir-led SPLM faction". Sudans Post. 2020-09-10. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
6. ^ "SSUF downplays Lewis Anei defection to government". Radio Tamazuj. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
7. ^ Tribune, Sudan. "South Sudan's Kiir receive Malong's former senior aide". Sudan Tribune.
8. ^ "South Sudan: Ex-army chief rebels – DW – 04/10/2018". dw.com. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
9. ^ "Emmanuel Sunday "removes" Malong, declares himself leader of SSUF/A". Sudans Post. 2020-09-26. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
10. ^ "Ex-Malong spokesman returns to Juba one day after resignation from rebel group". Sudans Post. 2021-07-19. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
11. ^ says, Alex (2023-01-29). "Malong boycotted in mass exodus as another group declares allegiance to Gatluak". Sudans Post. Retrieved 2023-01-30.