The chief of staff of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (Juba faction) Paul Malong is back in Juba after a medical leave of more than a week for an unknown condition that caused his collapse on 24 October.

The commander fainted and collapsed three weeks ago in the presence of other senior military and police officers in Juba, including General James Hoth Mai, General Pieng Deng Kuol, and Lieutenant General James Ajonga Mawut.

He was later was rushed to a medical unit at the presidency, where he was admitted and remained under close medical care before taken outside the country for treatment.   

It was not clear what caused the sudden illness, prompting many of his supporters to speculate food poisoning and others claimed he was bewitched. Others said he suffered from high blood pressure or simply was exhausted.

This led to questions from observers in Juba about whether the commander would recover. Malong returned to the country last week after medical check-ups abroad.

Speaking on Thursday, one of his wives said her husband was both exhausted and had high blood pressure for which he was admitted to do regular health checks.

“According to the medical report, he is okay.  The only thing they told him is to do regular health checks and try to rest. The doctors say he was exhausted because he overworked him, which I agree because he sleeps late sometimes. He goes late to bed and wake up early also. He really finds no time to rest,” she explained.

During a thanks-giving ceremony held upon Malong’s return, the commander ruled out food poison and bewitching, saying those who were with him at the time of his collapse were his personal friends and longtime comrades.

“The allegation of bewitched is false. Also the food poison is false. Who can poison me?  The food we were eating was prepared by own wife, who is not just a wife but a friend,” Awan said on Sunday at the thanksgiving service organised by his family.

Related:

Top commander of South Sudan’s SPLA-Juba collapses (27 Oct.)