The Ministry of Defense and Veterans’ Affairs has issued a formal statement refuting recent social media allegations involving Minister of Defense Gen. Chol Thon J. Balok and Bangladeshi retired Brigadier General Shamim Kamal. The allegations stem from a video that has circulated widely online, purportedly showing the Minister in a questionable context.
According to the Ministry’s press release, the video captures a routine meeting between Gen. Balok and BG. Rtd Kamal, where they were reviewing fabric samples for the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) uniforms. The Ministry emphasizes that this meeting, which focused on enhancing the quality of military attire, has been misrepresented by unauthorized recordings disseminated on social media.
The press release clarifies that the video was recorded without the consent of the attendees by one of the Bangladeshi delegates present. The Ministry condemned this unauthorized recording and its misleading portrayal, asserting that the discussion was strictly professional and related to official military business.
“The fabric samples reviewed in the video are intended solely for the SSPDF uniforms,” the statement reads. “This is part of the Minister’s ongoing efforts to ensure our armed forces are equipped with the best possible gear.”
The Ministry also addressed the involvement of BG. Rtd Shamim Kamal, who has a longstanding association with South Sudan through his previous service with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Now a businessman, Kamal specializes in fabric production and has been working to provide quality materials for the SSPDF.
Furthermore, the Ministry dismissed allegations that Gen. Balok has neglected issues concerning army salaries. It clarified that the delays in salary disbursement are due to complex administrative processes beyond the direct control of the Minister. The statement highlighted that Gen. Balok has been a vocal advocate for better army wages within the parliamentary framework.
The Ministry views these social media attacks on Gen. Balok as attacks on the institution itself. In response, it announced that it is taking administrative actions against the individuals spreading misinformation, specifically naming Molana. Makoi Majak as a key figure in propagating these falsehoods.
To support their clarification, the Ministry attached samples of the fabric under consideration from Bangla-Bazar, showcasing their suitability for SSPDF uniforms.
