Ailing South Sudan army chief, Gen. James Ajongo Mawut has been confirmed dead in an Egyptian hospital. Ajongo was said to have died on Friday morning after he battled with an illness for months. The cause of his death is still unclear. The government announced three days of mourning and ordered the national flag to be flown at half-mast in the country. Ajongo succeeded Paul Malong Awan who rebelled against the Kiir administration recently. Ajongo was appointed as the country’s army chief in May 2017. He was appointed to the position after his predecessor Paul Malong was sacked early last year amid resignations by some generals who alleged abuses by the military and tribal bias in the army ranks. Malong has since formed his own organization to challenge President Salva Kiir, accusing him of looting the country’s resources and turning it into a failed state.
