JUBA,— Gen. Oyai Deng Ajak expressed regret over the death of former Sudan People’s Liberation Army leader John Garang de Mabior and criticized President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s leadership, Sept. 19, 2025.

Ajak described Kiir as a “looter, ethnic mobilizer and murderer,” while also acknowledging his role in the country’s liberation struggle. He said South Sudan needs a “second liberation” to achieve a better life for its citizens.

“We spent our lives fighting to liberate South Sudan, but today people live without choices,” Ajak said in an interview with journalist John Tanza. “We do not have a true constitution, and the government has failed to protect the people.”

Ajak, who joined the liberation struggle as a young man, said he worked closely with both Garang and Kiir for more than four decades. He accused the government of dismantling the national army and replacing it with untrained militias loyal to Kiir. He added that he disagreed with the president on national security reforms.

The former defense chief also accused Kiir’s administration of fueling internal displacement in towns such as Rumbek, Yirol and Bor by failing to integrate security forces. He alleged that the army is now dominated by soldiers from Warrap and Aweil, excluding other communities.

“There are foreign forces from Uganda  are in South Sudan without parliamentary approval,” Ajak said, questioning the size of the military leadership. “We do not have a genuine national army, police or security service.”

Ajak said he remained loyal to Garang’s vision of a united, democratic and secular South Sudan. He noted that soldiers have gone unpaid and forced into businesses such as selling charcoal for survival. He compared South Sudan’s stagnation to Rwanda, saying President Paul Kagame transformed his country while Kiir failed to do the same.

“President Kiir refuses to listen to us and instead mobilizes the children of late veterans and freedom fighters,” Ajak said.