SPLM-IO laments ‘serious violations’ in unified security sector commands

JUBA — South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, has lamented what it calls “serious violations” in the formation of the unified army, police and national security  service commands saying President Kiir has created new positions which would undermines powers of opposition generals appointed in the security sector’s unified commands.

“There are a number of serious violations in the command structures of SSPDF, National Police and the National Security Service (NSS), in Tuesday’s 12 April 2022 Republican Order No. 09/2022 by President Salva Kiir Mayardit for appointment of senior officers to the various positions in the organised forces’ command structures,” SPLM-IO Director of Information and Public Relations Puok Both Baluang said in a statement seen by Sudans Post.

“In the SSPDF, the three (3) areas of violation are in the appointments of the directors for procurement, production, and the appointment of the commander for sector two (2) in Malakal, contrary to the agreed-upon structure. It is worth mentioning here that, the two (2) directorates – procurement and production – are under the Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

“Most notably, the aforementioned positions and the rest of the directorates in all organized forces were agreed upon according to article 9 of the matrix signed on April 3, that it would be discussed and agreed on by a joint committee of the parties, and the presence of a mediator if need be, to allocate all these positions within a maximum period of two (2) weeks from the formation of the unified command.

“In the National Police Service structure, President Salva Kiir had omitted three (3) directorates namely; auxiliary forces, custom, and public relations and created five (5) new directorates contrary to the agreed-upon structures, namely; Assistant IGP for Investment, Assistant IGP and Commissioner for Central Equatoria, Assistant IGP for Human Resource Development, Assistant IGP for Oil Field, and Assistant IGP for Inspectorate.

“The president created new positions of deputy director-generals for administration and finance in the internal and external security bureau which was not agreed upon by the parties, and appointed his allies to these positions.

“Whereas, according to the April 3 agreement, the structures of the two branches of the (NSS) will be a director-general for both internal and external security (ITGONU), and a deputy (Opposition) plus the directorates.

“This attempt by the President is to move and separate the opposition particularly the SPLM/A (IO) from the finance and administration within these directorates, and that will make it harder for us to implement the reforms needed, especially in the finance sector within all the organized forces. Also it will cripple the work of these deputy director generals and the directorates allocated to the SPLM/A (IO).

“Finally, we urge President Salva Kiir to conform to the agreed structure of the SSPDF, National Police and the National Security Service.”