Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang’s call for military officers to return from hiding reflects significant misunderstandings of the current security landscape in South Sudan. Due to targeted arrests and fears for their safety, officers prioritize self-preservation over duty. To elicit any meaningful response, the government must offer credible guarantees and implement reforms to restore trust among military personnel.
Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang of the Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) recently urged military officers linked to First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar to resume their duties. However, this appeal may reflect a misunderstanding of the prevailing conditions, as many officers have retreated into hiding following increased tensions and recent arrests of SPLM-IO leaders. Gen. Koang’s reassurances appear ineffective in addressing the underlying fears of these officers.
The choice to go into hiding is rational given the deteriorating security situation. Following the detentions of senior SPLM-IO members, including Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam and other government officials, the environment has intensified distrust in government security forces. Heavy police presence around Dr. Machar’s residence suggests targeted actions against SPLM-IO figures, leading to a logical withdrawal for self-preservation.
The National Security Service’s own declarations of planned further arrests further entrench the fear among military officers. Gen. Koang’s assertion that absences were a surprise lacks credibility, given that the military’s retracting behavior responds to a systematic crackdown affecting a specific faction.
Understanding the reluctance of officers to respond positively to Gen. Koang’s call necessitates awareness of South Sudan’s dysfunctional system, where the lines separating political, military, and judicial roles are blurred. There is a prevailing assumption of guilt which exacerbates fears surrounding detainment, as evidenced by cases like that of Gov. Kuel Aguer Kuel, who faced unjust imprisonment prior to acquittal.
For officers to consider returning to duty, they require clear safety assurances and tangible pre-conditions such as the release of detained individuals and guarantees against further arrests. Without comprehensive reforms and confidence-building measures from the SPLM-IO, Gen. Koang’s call is unlikely to resonate; officers prioritize survival over duty in a politically charged climate.
In conclusion, South Sudan’s security framework is troubled by political divisions, leading to deep distrust in governmental institutions. Gen. Koang’s appeal will largely go unheeded unless decisive actions are implemented to delineate military engagement from political oppression, maintaining a climate of safety that encourages officers to return to their posts.
The overarching theme highlights the urgency of addressing the fractures in South Sudan’s security sector and the need for trust-building measures. Appeals lacking substantive action will not persuade officers to put themselves at risk, and a tangible shift toward separating military duty from political ambitions is essential for any positive response from those in hiding.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
