Stephen Buay Rolnyang

Stephen Buay Rolnyang (born 15 November 1968) is a South Sudanese rebel leader of SSPM/A and former SSPDF general. He founded the SPLA elite force in 2006. Rolnyang belongs to Nuer.

Early life and education Born in Tuocloka in November 1968, Rolnyang enrolled in Ajakwach Primary School in Bahr-el-Ghazal and Wangkei Primary School. He then continued his high school education in Khartoum North. Later, he studied at St. Augustine Seminary and Cambridge International College in Juba, where he earned a certificate in Human Resources Management. Rolnyang pursued higher education at Kyambogo University in 2009 and graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in management science.

Military career 1982 - 2011 Rolnyang began his military career by joining Anyanya II in May 1982. Later, he left the group and joined SPLA. In 1986, Rolnyang earned the rank of Second lieutenant while working as a radio operator. He became an officer of SPLA's general intelligence service from 1991 until 1997. Afterward, Rolnyang was sent to the western Upper Nile and Bahr-el-Ghazal border to serve as the SPLA's third front acting chief of operations. In 2017, he was reassigned to the SPLA 4th Infantry Division Commander. He then served as the commander of the 5th Infantry Division in Wau in 2018;

Dismissal Rolnyang visited his family in Mayom in May 2018. However, as he arrived at Mayom, his presence caused tension for Matthew Puljang, SSPDF Special Forces Commander in Mayom, eventually leading to the clash between Rolnyang and Puljang's forces. However, he left the group in August 2021 and formed SSPM/A due to the SSUF/A participation in negotiation talks with the government. As the SSPM/A leader, he ordered the group to attack Mayom town to retaliate against the SSPDF attack towards SSPM/A based in Bong. In October 2022, he proposed the rebel alliance with Paul Malong Awan, Thomas Cirilo, and Simon Gatwech Dual in Equatoria, Upper Nile, and Bahr-el-Ghazal Regions.

In January 2024, SSPDF claimed that Rolnyang cooperated with RSF to plan the attack on the oil fields in South Sudan. However, he denied that accusation.