South Sudan says military chief has died in Egypt
General James Ajongo
Military chief's death is likely to mount pressure on South Sudan President Salva Kiir
According to reports, South Sudan officials have communicated its military chief's death during a visit to Egypt. General James Ajongo was reported to have been suffering from a "short illness" and passed away on Friday.
Ajongo took over as South Sudan's military chief almost a year ago after ex-chief Paul Malong was fired and put under house arrest.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the untimely death of Gen. James Ajongo Mawut, SPLA army’s chief of defence force,” government spokesman Michael Makuei Lueth said.
As per reports, a regional bloc seeks to put to an end to the five-year civil war in the country. A new round of peace talks is expected in May
Military chief's death is likely to mount pressure on South Sudan President Salva Kiir to take measures with respect to his fragile coalition in power.
South Sudan, which obtained independence from Sudan in 2011 and is the world’s youngest nation, has been mired in civil war since 2013 when Kiir fired his deputy Riek Machar.
(With inputs from Reuters)