Kiir bans active military personnel from participating in politics, leading community organizations

Kiir bans active military personnel from participating in politics, leading community organizations

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has issued a republican order banning all active members of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), and members of other organized forces from participating in politics and also from leading community organizations.

“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 the 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 the 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,” Kiir said in the decree.

The decree posted on the presidency Facebook page said “All Active Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOS) in the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and all the Other Regular Forces, involved in Politics, Leadership of Respective Communities, Youth or Women Organizations, the Promotion of Propaganda and Hate Speeches on Social Media Platforms are hereby ordered to cease from such acts and rather concentrate on their Constitutional mandate.”

The president said “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 Non-Commissioned Officer (NCOS) involved in the aforementioned unlawful activities refrain with immediate effect.”

Kiir warned that “Any Officer or Non-Commissioned Officer who fails to adhere to the enforcement of this Order, shall be investigated by the relevant Authority and punished in accordance with the law.”