October 30th 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – South Sudan’s army has been urged to keep laws and order among other obligations, during the national peace celebrations in the capital Juba where regional heads of states are expected to take part.
South Sudan President, Salva Kiir Mayardiit and opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon signed in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa last month the long-awaited revitalized peace agreement.
The deal, also signed by other prominent opposition groups, was signed as a part of regional effort spearheaded by the regional bloc, the IGAD, to end the ongoing civil war in the country which has been ongoing since December 2013.
President Salva Kiir later announced in September that he will conduct a peace celebrations in the capital Juba to welcome the signing of the agreement which has been criticized by many friends of South Sudan including thew guarantors of the previous peace agreement, the Troika.
In a interview with the Eye Radio on Monday, army spokesman Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said the army as per orders of the high command are expected to maintain public peace and keep laws and orders.
“All members of security forces are expected to maintain high levels of discipline; they are also expected to be friendly to members of the public without compromising or bridging security standards and measures put in place,” Lul said.
He told the Eye Radio that the army leadership will take administrative measures against soldiers who do not comply with the directives saying the army are also expected to not drink during the celebration day.
“We have also made it very crystal clear that all security personnel on duty here [Juba] and anywhere should ensure that they don’t take money from people, we expect them not to drink alcohol so that they don’t cause the disorder,” he added.
Lul urged the citizens to allow the army to search for guns ahead of the celebrations on Wednesday saying female soldiers will be deployed alongside their male colleagues during the celebration.
“Citizens should also allow our security personnel to search their luggage and their cars. Members of the public are expected to remain sited until all invited dignitaries leave the venue…..For the first time, our female personnel from SSPDF will be deployed alongside their male colleagues. So these female colleagues are going to be deployed to ensure that they do searches on females who will be attending the occasion,” he added.
