President Salva Kiir has urged the army to remain loyal to the service amidst challenges he believes ‘will soon end.’
In his statement to mark the 38th anniversaries of Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) Day, Kiir promised his soldiers that ‘silver lining is already in the pipeline.’
“To organised forces, I applaud you for dedication to your duty in the face of mounting challenges. Things will not remain this way for long. With progress in peace implementation, there is a silver lining in the horizon,” said Kiir.
The head of the state, who is also the supreme commander of SPLA, did not elaborate what he meant by ‘the silver lining’ to appeal to the forces that have faced challenges lately.
However, there have been reports indicating a lack of motivation and irregular salary payment. For instance, recent reports emerged that the soldiers have not received salaries for months.
The situation has forced many to lose interest in the service or abandon duty to seek alternative ways of survival with their family members, creating gross indiscipline within the organised forces. In March 2021, a report from the ministry of defence and veteran affairs indicated massive vacation of camps by the trainees. The incident has been blamed on squalid living conditions and uncertainty that hangs over the graduation of the forces.
However, Kiir assured his forces that the ongoing peace implementation process was going to address their woes as the country moves forward to lay various structures of governance.
South Sudan is yet to graduate the first batch of the 83 000 necessary unified forces provided for by the Chapter Two of the revitalised peace agreement.