![South Sudan President Salva Kiir (L) leaves after attending the commemoration of Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) Day at the SPLA headquarters in Juba, South Sudan, on May 18, 2017, during the commemoration of SPLA Day.[Photo via Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/gettyimages-684397002-2048x2048-1.jpg?ssl=1)
Kiir made the remarks during the graduation ceremony of over 20 thousand members of the unified forces provided for in the revitalized peace agreement.
“From today, you are not a military wing of any party to the conflict. You are now the first national security sector organ of the republic of South Sudan,” Kiir said.
“As the president of the republic, I am your commander-in-chief. If your commander-in-chief was the chairperson of SPLM-IO, Dr. Riek Machar, or Hussein Abdelbagi or any other unknown commander-in-chief, now you belong to the republic of South Sudan,” he added.
The president went on to stress that it is the responsibility of the army to defend the country rather than considering themselves as army of ethnic groups.
“It is your responsibility to defend the flag of our country with all its colors and the meaning attached to each of them,” said.
“You must never be a member of any political party, and you must consider yourself South Sudanese carrying out your duty, not a soldier of an ethnic group.”
