Do not be ‘manipulated’ by politicians, Yakani tells peace forces

JUBA – A prominent South Sudan activist on Tuesday urged the country’s newly graduated unified forces not to be manipulated by politicians for their own political interests and said members of the new national army should not chant SPLM-IG, SPLM-IO or other political parties’ slogans.

On Tuesday, South Sudan graduated over 21,000 members of the peace forces, with President Salva Kiir Mayardit issuing a republican order integrating them into the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), national police, national security, civil defense and wildlife service.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), urged the peace forces to give their allegiance to the constitution and not to political parties.

“My message to you the forces is that your allegiance is for the constitution not for Oyee or Viva,” Yakani said, referring to the SPLM and SPLM-IO slogans, respectively. “…. you are not forces of any political parties.”

The prominent civil society leader said “the unified forces should not allow themselves to be manipulated by the politicians for their political interests which contradict the national interest which is peace and stability.”

“Your allegiance is to the constitution and protection of the flag and provision of safety and security of individuals and communities,” he added.