Government of Southern Sudan President and Commander-In-Chief of the Sudan People’s Army (SPLA), General Salva Kiir Mayardit, today June 6th, 2009, inaugurated the new command of the SPLA at the General Headquarters in Juba. In a symbolic ceremony where former Chief of General Staff, General Oyay Deng Ajak handed over the SPLA flag to new chief, James Hoth Mai, Kiir said the latest reshuffle in the SPLA was intended to improve the performances of the army.
The Commander-In-Chief of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), General Salva Kiir Mayardit, today May 31st, 2009, issued a presidential decree promoting the then Lt. Generals, Paulino Matip Nhial, the SPLA Deputy Commander-In-Chief, and Lt. General Oyay Deng Ajak, the SPLA Chief of General Staff, to the rank of Generals.
Sudan is a country endowed with very rich history dating back to centuries Before Christ. The Cush and Meroe Kingdoms whose capital was Napata in present day Nuba Mountains dominated and conquered areas as far as Egypt to the North, Abyssinia (Ethiopia) to the East and West Africa to the West.
The rich and extensive history of the Nubia Kingdom starting centuries before the birth of Jesus and extended to many centuries after the death of Jesus are living testimony to the rich history the ancient people, the original inhabitants of African origin residing in Sudan, conquered the world in the past.
The Funj to the East and Fur to the west all had kingdoms. Several Kingdoms belonging to Nilotic tribes of the Sudan also thrived. However, continuous attacks by invaders such as Arab traders and later the European led to the downfall of such kingdoms.