SSPDF warns officers against political involvement

JUBA – The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) on Thursday issued a stern warning to military officers from the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), urging them to refrain from involvement in politics.

The warning came after SSOA officers declared their allegiance to presidential advisor on presidential affairs Costello Garang Riny Lual in a power struggle with Vice President for Service Cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol over the leadership of South Sudan Patriotic Movement (SSPM).

Speaking to reporters in Juba, SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang revealed that the military had received reports of SSOA officers, awaiting the second phase of the unification of command, engaging in political activities.

“In the last few days, Lieutenant General Garang Akol Ayii, Director General for Procurement and the co-chair of the Joint Defense Board, had observed with great concern the involvement and meddling in politics of officers from SSOA who are waiting for the unification of the 2nd echelon of command,” Lul said.

Maj. Gen. Lul urged these officers to cease political engagement immediately.

“After consultations with the Chief of Defense Forces, who doubles as the co-chair of the Joint Defense Board, and after thorough examination of the negative impact of involvement of officers in partisan politics, the aforementioned category of servicemen are hereby strongly warned to immediately desist from such malpractices as well as stop engaging in all forms of detrimental social media activities,” he stated.

He cautioned that failure to comply with these directives would lead to strict disciplinary action, including exclusion from the integration process into organized forces.

“Failure to comply with above-mentioned orders and directives will result in taking of disciplinary and punitive measures against those involved, including forfeiting of one’s opportunity to be integrated into the organized forces,” Lul warned.

In January 2022, President Salva Kiir Mayardit issued a republican order prohibiting active members of the SSPDF and other organized forces from participating in politics or leading community organizations.

The decree also banned military personnel from holding leadership positions in community, youth, or women’s organizations and from promoting propaganda or hate speech on social media platforms.