South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Benjamin Takpiny
The President of the Republic and Commander-in-chief of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit has warned the SSPDF soldiers and other regular forces to refrain from politics.
“We warn SSPDF and other regular forces against involvement in politics, but rather to concentrate on their transformation process into conventional institutions, we will not allow anybody in uniforms to engage in politics because you have a different role to play in the country. To members of the military and other organized forces, from today onward, you must refrain from engaging in dirty politics,” President Kiir said in a statement posted on the presidential press unit Facebook page.
This pronouncement came when he witnessed the power transition in the military headquarters at Bilpham, where the former Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Santino Deng Wol handed over instruments of power to the new CDF Dr. Paul Nang Majok.
Kiir directed the new CDF, Dr. Paul Nang Majok, to prioritize professionalism and integrity in his duties to enhance public service, underscoring the importance of these values in championing public trust and effective safety of the territorial integrity.
The president called on the SSPDF to continue with its good ideals among the civilian population and to denounce vices such as land grabbing and indulging into active politics, warning them that involving in such activities will make a dent on the good name of the military institution and weaken the SSPDF that is supposed to defend the territorial integrity.
Kiir further reiterated that SSPDF should be leading operations in the clearance of illegal checkpoints along the major highways to ensure free passage of goods and services to the people across the country.
For his part, Gen. Paul Nang Majok, promised to implement the directives from the president, aiming to reorganize and modernize the SSPDF.
He also promised to put the welfare of soldiers first, ensuring that they have modern equipment and technologies to perform their duties effectively.
