South Sudan army chief Gen. Santino Deng Wol rubbishes calls for Kiir’s removal

JUBA – South Sudan’s army chief Gen. Santino Deng Wol has rejected calls for removal of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, but then distanced himself from politics saying management of the country is the work of politicians.

This comes after the civil rights movement, the People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA) called on the army to reject the extension of the transitional period by President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his first deputy and opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny.

“Politics and management of the country is the work of the politicians. Our work as the ministry is to defend the country against foreign aggression, protect and safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and the constitution,” Gen. Deng is quoted by Sudan Tribune as saying.

The top army officer went to warn members of the organized forces against participating in politics or sympathizing with politicians he said are pushing for the forceful removal of President Salva Kiir Mayardit from power.

CALL FOR ARMY TO INTERVENE

The PCCA last week issued a statement rejecting the rumored extension of the transitional period and called on the army to intervene to prevent the political leaders from extending the transitional period without the will of the people.

“The PCCA shall issue a more detailed response once this illegitimate proposal is passed formally, but for now, we must sprint to action. We call upon all the civil society organizations within the country, the religious institutions, and political parties, to make it clear to those who have taken the people of South Sudan for granted, that there is a limit in our patience,” the PCCA said in a statement this week.

“We urge the army and the security organs to prevent President Kiir’s third coup against the Constitution and to help restore people’s power,” the group’s statement added.