The SSPDF has said that its officers and men who will not obey a presidential decree banning soldiers from participating in politics, community organizations, and spreading propaganda among others will be punished in accordance with the law.  

Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, the SSPDF spokesperson, told Radio Tamazuj Monday that once a presidential decree is issued, it becomes a law and it is reminding the members of the organized forces what is expected of them.

“When they are still in active service, they should not be involved in politics or be chairpersons of community-based organizations as well as taking part in business or commercial activities because it brings conflict of interest,” Gen. Ruai said.

On 31 December 2021, President Salva Kiir issued a Republican Order N0. 27/2021 which read in part, “In exercise of the powers conferred upon me under article 101 (c) of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011 (as amended), I, Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, Commander-in-Chief of thee SSPDF and the supreme commander of all the other regular forces, do hereby issue this republican order for the  prohibition of all active officers and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) in the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and all other regular forces from participating in politics, Leadership of respective communities, youth or women organizations, the promotion of propaganda and hate speeches on social media platforms, 2021.”

The order directed all active officers and NCOs in the SSPDF and all other regular forces, involved in politics, the leadership of respective communities, youth or women organizations, the promotion of propaganda and hate speeches on social media platforms to cease from such acts and concentrate on their constitutional mandate.

“The commands of the army and that of all the other regular forces including the National Security Service are hereby ordered to enforce this order by ensuring that any officer or NCO involved in the aforementioned unlawful activities refrain with immediate effect,” the order read. “Any officer or NCO, who fails to adhere to the enforcement of this order, shall be investigated by the relevant authorities and punished in accordance with the law.”

On the timing of the order, Gen. Ruai said the SPLA Act 2009 forbids soldiers from participating in politics and that many soldiers had left the army for politics and or business only to return.

“To be honest, we have had cases of military officers, NCOs, and other ranks taking part in politics and coming back to military service. I think the decree is putting a stop to that practice and it is in line with our rules and regulations,” Gen. Ruai said. “The SPLA Act of 2009 states that anybody in active military service should not be involved in community-based activities. If any member of the organized forces is interested in politics, then he or she must resign from active service.”

On military personnel currently serving as governors, ministers, or commissioners, Gen. Ruai said their fate will be decided by the president.

“For those who are in civilian roles and were in active military service, it will be the president to decide, when their services are terminated, whether to reinstate them in active military service or not because he has the prerogative to do that,” he said. “But as of now, I would confine that decree to those of us who are in active service and that from the day the decree was issued, we are no longer allowed to be involved in other activities apart from our profession as full-time military officers, NCOs, and other ranks. In the past, we have been mixing roles.”

The SSPDF spokesman added: “My assumption is that the decree came after they were appointed, so from now onwards they will be serving as governors but without military duties. They are now full-time governors without mixing the two roles.”

He appealed to soldiers who have been practicing the activities banned by the decree to desist forthwith or resign their commission.

“Anybody who will be caught involved in both will be punished in accordance with the law,” Gen. Ruai said.