28/11/2024
SSPDF warns officers against political involvement after disgruntled army officers declare allegiance to ousted Chairman of SSPM Costello Garang Riiny
The South Sudan Peopleโs Defense Forces (SSPDF) has issued a stern warning to its officers and soldiers against engaging in political activities. This follows the circulation of a video in which several army officers, including Lt. Gen. Agany Ayii, expressed their allegiance to ousted South Sudan Patriotic Movement (SSPM) chairman Costello Garang Riiny.
The video defied a directive issued by President Salva Kiir in 2021, which explicitly prohibits members of the military and organized forces from participating in politics. The directive aims to ensure neutrality, professionalism, and discipline within the armed forces.
Costello Garang was recently removed as SSPM chairman on November 23 after a vote of no confidence by the partyโs leadership. According to the party, he was expelled for โviolating the partyโs objectives, mandates, deliberate denial of the party, lack of collaboration and cooperation with party members, and breaches of provisions within the partyโs basic documents and principles.โ
Following his removal, Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi was appointed as the SSPMโs Interim Chairperson until a convention is held to elect a new leader.
In response to the video, SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. L*l Ruai Koang stated that the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) strongly condemned the officersโ actions. He reiterated that failure to comply with military directives would result in severe disciplinary measures, including exclusion from the integration process into the organized forces.
โFailure to comply with these orders and directives will result in disciplinary and punitive measures, including forfeiting the opportunity to be integrated into the organized forces,โ Maj. Gen. L*l Ruai warned.
The SSPDF emphasized that political involvement by officers, especially those awaiting unification under the 2018 Revitali
