South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has made changes to the top command of the 4th Infantry Division of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in Unity State.

The changes follow the recent clashes in the northern state.

In an order issued Tuesday, the commander of the 4th Infantry Division, Maj Gen William Manyang Mayak, was replaced by former militia commander Maj Gen Matthew Puljang, who commanded forces accused of abuses and forced recruitment of children in the Unity region in 2015.

Gen Mayak was reassigned as the Director for Operations at the SSPDF General Headquarters in Bilpham.

SSPDF Spokesman Maj Gen Lul Ruai Koang’ confirmed the reshuffle to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday.

“He [President Kiir] has redeployed Maj Gen Mayak to the SSPDF General Headquarters in Bilpham, here in Juba,” Koang said.

“The new Commander of 4th Division is General Mathew Puljang, and he will be deputized by Maj Gen Ding Adim, who was until the day before yesterday, the Director for Officers Affairs,” he added.

Maj Gen Koang underscored that the reshuffle was a routine administrative undertaking undertaken by the Commander in Chief from time to time.