The Sudan People's Liberation Army was founded on 16 May 1983 (later a public holiday known as SPLA Day) under the leadership of Commander-in-Chief John Garang de Mabior. Bol was appointed second ranking Commander, and Bany third. By June 1983, the majority of mutineers had moved to Ethiopia or were on their way. The Ethiopian government's decision to support the emerging SPLA was a means of exacting revenge upon the Sudanese government for its support of Eritrean rebels.