For immediate release on rebuttal to the leaked video tape conversation

Happy New Year to the suffering people of south Sudan. Since I was released from house arrest in Juba, there have been persistent rumours flying around cooked to damage my reputation and drive a wedge between me and President Salva Kiir Mayardit. I was allowed by the President to seek medical treatment in neighboring Kenya. The enemies of peace would not let me rest. I have learnt with great surprise that there is a purported leaked tape recording my conversation with junior commanders on the ground to rebel and fight government. I would want to make it clear to the people of south Sudan that the tape is fake and doesn’t bear the slightest authenticity in it. The tape record is a clear imitation of my voice minted by my well known enemies. There are individuals around president whose work is to create damaging rumours in order to survive in this collapsing economy. To set record straight, south Sudanese must know that I personally purchased this recording machine when I was in National Security docket before south Sudan got independence, this docket was called Special Branch. I could not be ignorant or oblivious about how it works. For starters, the machine works in two ways, it works to trap terrorist and drug dealers, it can also diverts the phone number and the voice of the trappers to the victims associated in order to trapped them, It can record known numbers who call regular lines and second the machine has ability to record the voice of a victim and this recorded voice can be turned around to cook future voices for the sake of implication. This second function incredibly can be used by your enemies against you whenever they wish to fix you as a security threat to the country. This is what has happened in this case

National Security Bureau is plagued by individuals who are professional rumormongers aided by the voice recording machine in order to achieve their hidden agenda. Since I was released from house arrest and came to Kenya, I have been constantly followed by spies sent by south Sudan government, they have been making up stories meant to divert attention of the peace loving citizens of south Sudan and to create war. My house was also searched in Aweil by security apparatus, a clear provocation to push me to rebel. My passport was also confiscated and has never been replaced yet I am a citizen who is entitled to have passport. The third in a row of provocation is this latest tape alleged to be my voice. This is a complete rubbish. If I have an intention to rebel, then I will not do it through others. South Sudanese should know that, there was another report claiming I went to Khartoum, President Kiir was made to announce this in the council of ministers. It turned out to be a charade and President was embarrassed, when they crossed check the report they found out I was in Kampala with my family. Now the latest is this new tape and more rumors would follow. I would wish to make it clear to south Sudanese that the tape is fake and a clear imitation of my voice. In light of this constant provocations, I would be forced to make a decision because there is a threat to my life and that of my family.

Yours,

Gen. Paul Malong Awan

Former SPLA Chief of General Staff