By Yiep Joseph
The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) has declared war on Red Belt.
The Red Belt is an armed youth group that emerged in Jonglei State in recent months amid rising insecurity and frequent cattle raids.
The group describes itself as a self-defence force formed to protect villages and cattle camps.
However, the state government accused the group of committing crimes as well as becoming unruly in the area.
As a result, the SSPDF picked up the narrative and accused the group of evolving into an organized armed movement.
Recently Gen. Paul Nang Majok, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the SSPDF, urged the Red Belt members to report to the SSPDF barrack in Jonglei to be recruited; however, there seems to be a low response.
In a fresh directive, Gen. Paul Nang Majok, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), declared the group as national security threat.
Nang made the declaration while addressing journalists during the display of some weapons seized during disarmament in Juba.
The items include some of the guns, fake ranks and uniforms seized from the Red Belt group.
CDF Nang expressed that the Red Belt is not a community organization, as some have claimed, but an organized armed group.
“What is threatening our security here in South Sudan now is the Red Belt; they have an emblem, they have ranks, they buy guns, that means it is a well-organized group,” Nang said.
The CDF directed the organized forces to treat Red Belt as enemies just like any other armed group fighting the government.
“From today onward, treat Red Belt as criminals. To security organs, when you see a Red Belt, treat him as an enemy,” he said.
“There is no force of citizens with an emblem. So, I gave this directive to operations: You have to treat Red Belt just like those who are fighting us.” He added,
The Chief of Defense Forces declared Redbelt a security threat in the country.
“The Red Belt is a security danger in South Sudan and a threat to people’s livelihoods,” he said.
On his part Inspector General of Police Lt. Gen. Abraham Manyuat Peter warned those carrying unlicensed weapons.
He called on the security personnel to keep all their weapons in army barracks.
He praised the ongoing disarmament campaign and urged licensed gun owners to renew their permits.
Early this month, South Sudan’s military chief ordered a Red Belt to integrate into the national army or face forcible disarmament.
Two orders, issued Sunday by the CDF, targeted the Red Belt Movement in Jonglei and armed youth in Warrap State.