A/HRC/43/56 2. the organization of the SPLA forces into combat units, combat support and service support units and staff; 3. the determination of personnel, military equipment and material requirements; in consultation with his or her Staff Command. 4. the recruitment, training and education of military personnel and management of their assignments and careers; 5. the development of operational plans, deployment of forces and command of the SPLA on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief; 6. ensuring the sustenance of operational units through the distribution, management and maintenance of military equipment, hardware, material and facilities; 7. enhancing the morale and welfare of the SPLA personnel; 8. ensuring the combat readiness of the SPLA forces; 9. making recommendation to the Commander-in-Chief, of officers for commissioning and promotion in accordance with established regulations and procedures governing promotion; 10. convening a General Court Martial when appropriate; 11. the development of the necessary military rules, regulations and standing operating procedures for the purpose of effective and efficient management of the forces; 12. the recommendation for appointment of the staff branch Directors to the Commander -in-Chief, in consultation with the Minister; 13. the assignment of senior officers to various SPLA brigades, battalions and specialized units as shall be directed by the Commander-in-Chief; 14. the development and supervision of research and development capabilities; 15. determination of the number and the quality of civilian employees required to serve in the SPLA and submission of the same to the Minister for approval and appointment; and 16. any other function as shall be delegated to him or her by the President and Commander-in-Chief, the Minister, this Act and regulations. The Deputies of the Chief of General Staff shall: 1. assist the Chief of General Staff in preparing and executing strategic plans, coordinating and supervising the activities in their respective areas of responsibilities; and 2. prepare briefings and submit regular reports on their activities to the Chief of General Staff. As noted, the SPLA was renamed SSPDF for “South Sudan People’s Defence Forces” on 2 September 2018. The Chief of Staff of the SSPDF is Lt Gen Gabriel Jok Riak, who was appointed in May 2018. He directly commands and controls the ground forces through the Commander of the Ground Forces LT Gen Santino Deng Wol. South Sudan is divided between three “Corps-level” commands called “Sectors,” each commanded by a Lieutenant General, answerable to the Commander-in-Chief via the Chief of the General Staff. Each Sector had several subordinate Divisions, Brigades and Battalions. There are nine divisional light infantry formations of the ground forces deployed nationwide with specific areas of operation and established headquarters, as follows: ▪ Division 1 in Renk, Upper Nile commanded by Mgen James Wijong ▪ Division 2 in Owachi, Malakal in Eastern Nile State commanded by MGen Akol Majok ▪ Division 3 in Wunyik, Northern Barh El Ghazal commanded by MGen Butros Bol Bol (MGen Dau Aturyong, earlier) 54