S. Sudan army distances itself from current political crisis, urges calm
July 25, 2013 (JUBA) – The army in South Sudan has distanced itself from the ongoing political crisis in the country, reaffirming its loyalty to the political authority in the country.
“[The] SPLA [Sudan People’s Liberation Army] is a national army and will therefore not accept to be used to advance individual political interest whatever the case. The mandate of the SPLA is to defend territorial integrity of the country and protect properties of the civil population against any external aggression,” said Gen. Chol Thon, the deputy chief of general staff for political and moral orientation.
We are not political players and if there are those who think so, then they need to be told point blank that we are not politicians, he added.
On Tuesday, South Sudan president, Salva Kiir issued several decrees sacking his deputy, Riek Machar, the entire cabinet, and ordered that the ruling party’s (SPLM) secretary general be probed.
The senior army official, in a statement on the state-owned SSTV, assured members of the public to remain calm, dispelling insecurity fears in the country in the wake of Kiir’s surprise move.
Meanwhile, the SPLA General Chief of Staff described the recent decision by the president to dissolve cabinet as a “normal” exercise and procedures done worldwide.
“Government reshuffles and relieve [of official] are normal and those who have just been relieved from their portfolios are aware and conscious of this fact,” said James Gen. Hoth Mai, in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.
He however urged officers, non commissioned officers, men and women in uniform to remain calm and restrict their work within the country’s legal framework and army code of conduct.
“I want to assure all our citizens and the international community that the SPLA as a national army that is subordinate to the civilian government and democratic principles shall continue to respect the decisions of the civil government,” said the army chief.
The general public must desist from rumour mongering and I also want to assure them that the overall situation in the country is calm and will remain calm and business must continue normally, further reads the statement.
In a related development, the Inspector General of Police General on Thursday dismissed claims that the army had imposed a curfew in the South Sudan capital in response to the current political crisis.
Fear and panic on Wednesday gripped Juba residents after gunshots were fired in the air as police tried to intervene in a fist fight involving two men. Shops and companies were closed for most of the days while organisations warned their staff to be alert.
“There is no need for people to fear, the situation is under control and I urge our traders across in Juba town and the outskirts to go about their business normally”, said Pieng Deng Kuol.
(ST)