The leader of the SPLM-In Opposition Dr. Riek Machar has fired two of his leading generals. Dr Riek made the changes in an order issued today.

Dr Riek Machar has removed Major General Peter Gatdet from his position as deputy chief of general staff for operations.

He replaced him with Major General James Koang Chol, who was the commander of Special Forces in the Upper Nile Region.

Dr Riek then appointed General Johnson Olony as the new commander of the Special Forces.

In the same order, Dr Riek dismissed Major General Gathoth Gatkuoth as the Deputy Chief of General Staff for Logistics.

Deputy military spokesperson of the opposition forces, Dickson Gatluak has confirmed the changes but says there was no specific reason for the move.

However, Major General Peter Gatdet is among six generals from both sides of the conflict sanctioned by the UN Security Council.