South Sudan minister tell active army to keep-off politics

March 11, 2010 (FANGAK) – “Political campaigns are not for SPLA,” southern Sudan minister for internal affairs Gier Chuang Aluong told soldiers in Jonglei on Thursday.

Mr. Gier, who is also a contender in April elections, was talking to Sudan People’s Liberation Army soldiers in Fangak awaiting orders for commencement of peaceful disarmament. The Statement comes at a time where close aides of Jonglei Independent candidate, George Athor Deng, say his campaign managers are detained by authorities.

The South Sudan Minster Gier confirmed that arrest has been made in Jonglei for SPLA officers in military uniform involved in electoral campaign. He declined to name the candidate the netted officers.

“SPLA is supposed to guide us [politicians] against causing violence during campaigns and elections,” he told the soldiers preparing to launch disarmament here. “Political campaigns are not SPLA,” he noted.

Tension is high in this part of Jonglei State as campaigns heat up. The SPLM says civilians dressed in military uniform are expected to cause trouble during the polls. The unnamed “enemies of peace” allegedly want to fright voters and change the course of democracy.

In Fangak, Commissioner James Maliet says attacks from neighboring Pigi are frequent. The State government blames the trend of instability on arms and pledges to commence disarmament soon. The army is already here but guns collection is yet to start.

(ST)