The commander said most youths in the state prefer working with humanitarian organizations, leaving a vacuum in national defense and security roles.

By Emmanuel Mandell

The Deputy Commander of South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) Division 6 in Western Equatoria State, Major General Bior Kuir Deng, has appealed to the youth from the region to join the national army, saying their numbers remain significantly low across the organized forces in the country.

Speaking in Yambio Freedom Square over the weekend, Gen. Bior said most youths in the state prefer working with humanitarian organizations, leaving a vacuum in national defense and security roles.

“Join the army so [that] you can replace those of us who have served for more than 40 years. You cannot leave the army to be dominated by others while you sit and focus only on NGOs. The army belongs to the nation and the nation is yours too,” Gen. Bior urged.

His statement comes just days after SSPDF announced a nationwide recruitment drive for viable youths to fill positions in riverine and peace keeping.

General Bior emphasized that representation in the army is a source of pride for communities.

“Communities feel happy and safe when they see their own sons and daughters wearing the national uniform and patrolling their areas. It builds trust. But when soldiers from far away are seen all over, people feel uneasy,” he added.

Furthermore, Gen. Bior raised concern over a growing trend of local communities shielding suspected criminals instead of cooperating with law enforcement agencies. He warned that such behavior undermines security and frustrates the efforts of security personnel.

“Currently, we are experiencing an increase in criminal activities around Western Equatoria State, but during our security meetings, we’ve been asking why communities here are not cooperating and people hide criminals instead of helping us to arrest them. From today onward, we need full cooperation to bring peace into this beautiful state,” he said.

The commander also highlighted the critical role can play in rebuilding South Sudan, noting that development can only thrive in a peaceful environment. He urged citizens to take responsibility for peace building at every level.

Gen. Bior’s comments align to the national army’s broader objective of ensuring balanced representation in the forces and improving civilian-military relations. This is crucial particularly at this point when the country prepares for national elections in December 2026 and long-term peace stabilization.

The SSPDF has in recent weeks launched a campaign to recruit more soldiers across the country, particularly targeting youth in regions where recruitment is historically low. The move is part of the broader strategy to professionalize the armed forces and deploy peacekeepers to stabilize volatile regions and protect civilians in the wake of the revitalized peace agreement.