By Yiep Joseph
President Salva Kiir has once again cautioned his comrades in the military to cease involvement in the country’s politics.
The head of state emphasized defending the country, its people, and their properties as the sole constitutional role of the military; hence, they should not be involved in politics.
Kiir reiterated the call during leadership transfer at the military headquarters in Bilpham.
In December 2021 President Salva Kiir Mayardit issued a republican order banning all active members of the 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.
Despite this order from the president, some reports continue to surface with members of the organizing forces involving themselves in either country’s politics or community leadership.
As a reminder, the head of state reiterated the directive with hope to ensure compliance from the members of the SSPDF.
According to the statement from the office of the president’s official factbook page, Kiir visited Bilpham on Thursday, 16 October 2025, where he witnessed the leadership transfer.
During the event, former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Dau Aturjong Nyuol peacefully handed over power to Dr. Paul Nang Majok, the incoming Chief.
As the Commander-in-Chief of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), President Kiir directed the army to cease politicking.
The head of state reminded the members of the SSPDF to stick to their constitutional mandate, which focuses on the protection of sovereignty and the people.
“President Salva Kiir Mayardit, and the Commander-in-Chief of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, has directed the army to stay away from politics but rather to focus on its constitutional role of defending the country, its people, and their properties,” the statement from the presidential unit partly read.
In addition to emphasizing the importance of discipline among the members of the SSPDF, the head of state encouraged the military leaders to continue with the transformation initiatives.
President Kiir urged the military generals and all leaders at all levels of the SSPDF to prioritize the welfare of the soldiers and ensure teamwork to safeguard the country.
“He (President Salva Kiir) also directed the new leadership to prioritize the welfare of soldiers, serve the country with integrity and loyalty, and work together to safeguard peace, security, and national harmony,” the statement partly read.
According to the presidential press unit, senior officials expressed that the change of command reflects the continued momentum towards the consolidation of a professional and unified army.
Last month, the leadership of the Aweil East Community Association in Juba, headed by Ambassador Garang Deng Aguer, condemned the active soldiers’ participation in community politics.
The Association described the involvement of army officials in community politics as a violation of the presidential order that barred the members of organized forces from participating in politics and community, youth, and women’s association leadership.
Last year the president strongly warned members of the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) and other organized forces to avoid involvement in politics.
Also, during the 2022 presidential order, all active members of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and members of other organized forces were banned from taking part in politics and also from leading community organizations.
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 (NCO) 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.”