Former Red Army Boss denies rejoining SPLM

By Awan Achiek

The Former Chairman of the Red Army Foundation, Deng Bol Aruai Bol on Sunday refuted claims that he intends to rejoin the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) led by President Salva Kiir.

In October 2022, Bol who served as Red Army Chairman for nine years resigned from the foundation and formed a new political party known as National Democratic Alliance, which he later renamed Common Peoples Alliance.

Bol also relinquished his membership in the SPLM.

In a statement seen by Dawn on Sunday, Bol said no such decision has been made or discussed.

“Upon my recent arrival in Juba, South Sudan, I have been made aware of rumours suggesting my intention to rejoin the SPLM. I want to set the record straight and assure you all that no such decision has been made or discussed,” Bol said.

Bol said he exited from the SPLM in October 2022 out of frustrations with the SPLM National Secretariat and their ruthless treatment of the Red Army.

“There has been a lack of recognition, support, reward, and strategic positioning provided to the Red Army members, which has led to discontent among their ranks,” he said.

In 2021, Bol requested for dialogue with the SPLM National Secretariat to address the concerns of the Red Army Foundation and the nation.

But his initiative was derailed by people he termed as “few individuals” who prioritized their interests over party unity.

“My primary objective is to hold the SPLM accountable for neglecting the Red Army program, failing to support its members, and underutilizing the valuable human resources within the Red Army and its institutions,” Bol said.

The Red Army Foundation is a non-political organization that is dedicated to addressing social problems, especially among its members and South Sudan’s youth.

In the early 1980s, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) recruited and began training boys and girls as young as 12 to fight in the liberation struggle.

The child soldiers were called the Red Army or Jesh Ahmer.

Many of them were carted to Cuba for education while others ended up in refugee camps where they acquired education.

Others were eventually resettled in the Mostly in the USA, Canada and Australia.