Kiir formed unified army command to divert attention from his failure to implement peace – Gen. Buay

JUBA – South Sudan rebel leader and former SSPDF commander Gen. Stephen Buay Rolnyang who doubles as the Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of the South Sudan People’s Movement/Army (SSPM/A) has warned commanders aligned to opposition groups in the recently formed unified command of possible suffering.

In a statement issued Sunday, Rolnyang took a dig on the recently-formed security sector bodies’ structure saying it a strategy to divert attention from the tactical delay in the implementation of the agreement.

“The so-called unification of command between the opposition and regime forces was made based on a mere formality to divert the attention and efforts of the international and regional communities away from giving more pressure on the regime, but it will not have any real effect on the situation on the ground,” the statement read in part.

He said opposition commanders will not have authoritative voice because most of them are second-in-command.

“The opposition Commanders that have been deployed in the unified units will face a lot of challenges and will not be treated with respect by the members of the South Sudan People Defence Forces (SSPDF), National Security Service (NSS) and other organized forces due to the fact that most of the opposition Commanders have been given the positions of second-in- command in every institution.

“This will give room to the serving members to undermine the deputies and report straight to the top Commanders, hence leaving the deputies, who are mainly from the opposition dormant. The regime has already established a strong network within the South Sudan People Defence Forces (SSPDF) and National Security Service (NSS) that are meant at sabotaging and undermining the peace agreement that cannot be broken by mere unification of command,” the statement added.

Rolnyang claimed that the regime is also still paying a huge amount of money known as “the special operation fund” to the South Sudan People Defence Forces (SSPDF) and National Security Service (NSS) for sponsoring various militias in the country to sabotage and undermine the current peace agreement.

A permanent peace and stability, Rolnyang said, cannot be realized in the Republic of South Sudan as long as President Salva Kiir clings to power.

“He has sabotaged attempts in search for permanent peace and stability in the country including a revitalized peace agreement that was signed in 2018, in Khartoum between the regime and opposition leaders,” claimed the commander-in-chief.