South Sudan defense ministry orders arrest of army officer ‘mobilizing’ communities for violence

JUBA – South Sudan’s ministry of defense has asked the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) to arrest and detain one of its officers it accused of working in three different institutions in the same government and also mobilizing communities for violence.

In a letter dated August 9, 2022 and addressed to the chief of defense forces, the deputy minister of defense Lt. Gen. Chol Thon said 1^st Lieutenant Juma Wuor Deng Kuany has been involved in activities not allowed by virtue of his work as a member of the organized forces.

“In reference to the above subject, I do hereby order the immediate close arrest of 1″ Lt. Juma Wuor Deng Kuany of M.I (Military Intelligence] as per the below charges labeled against him,” Gen. Chol said, pointing out that the army officer is “Working in 3 different institutions within the same government.”

Gen. Chol further charged that the senior army officer is “mobilizing the community for possible violence, [and also] Defying the President’s order of not allowing the active officers to involves and participates in any community and Political affairs in what so ever forums (Physical/social Media).”

He said that “All the evidences of video, voice clips plus written conversations on social media will be produce to the investigation team,” and that the orders from the deputy minister of defense “are for execution.”

MEMBERS OF ORGANIZED FORCES NOT ALLOWED TO EXERCISE POLITICS

President Salva Kiir Mayardit in January issued a republican order banning all active members of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), and members of other organized forces from participating in politics and also from leading community organizations.

“In exercise of the powers conferred upon me under Article 101 (c) of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011 (as amended), I, Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, Commander-in-Chief of the SSPDF and the Supreme Commander of all the other Regular Forces, do hereby issue this Republican Order for the Prohibition of All Active Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOS) in the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and all the Other Regular Forces from Participating in Politics, Leadership of Respective Communities, Youth or Women Organizations, the Promotion of Propaganda and Hate Speeches on Social Media Platforms,” Kiir said in the decree in January.

The decree posted on the presidency Facebook page said “All Active Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOS) in the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and all the Other Regular Forces, involved in Politics, Leadership of Respective Communities, Youth or Women Organizations, the Promotion of Propaganda and Hate Speeches on Social Media Platforms are hereby ordered to cease from such acts and rather concentrate on their Constitutional mandate.”

The president said “The Commands of the Army and that of all the Other Regular Forces including the National Security Service are hereby ordered to enforce this Order by ensuring that any Officer or Non-Commissioned Officer (NCOS) involved in the aforementioned unlawful activities refrain with immediate effect.”

Kiir warned that “Any Officer or Non-Commissioned Officer who fails to adhere to the enforcement of this Order, shall be investigated by the relevant Authority and punished in accordance with the law.”