Fear Over Duty: The Reluctance of South Sudan’s Military Officers to Return to Work
Major General Lul Ruai Koang’s recent call for military officers aligned with Vice President Riek Machar to resume their duties has been met with skepticism. Officers are justifiably in hiding due to a climate of fear resulting from recent arrests of SPLM-IO leaders. The existing culture of perceived guilt and a lack of guarantees for their safety further hampers any prospect of their return to duty.
Major General Lul Ruai Koang, spokesperson for the Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), recently urged military officers affiliated with First Vice President Riek Machar to return to their duties. However, this statement may represent either a calculated deception or a failure to understand the current reality, as the officers have sought refuge due to heightened fears following the crisis in Nasir. Koang’s assurances appear hollow, failing to address the underlying issues causing this crisis.
The decision of these officers to remain in hiding is understandable given the deteriorating security situation. Their concerns have been intensified by the recent detentions of prominent figures from the SPLM-IO, including General Gabriel Duop Lam and key government officials. Such arrests, along with increased security around Dr. Machar’s residence, indicate a targeted approach towards SPLM-IO members, further eroding trust in the government’s security framework.
The National Security Service (NSS) has proactively announced plans for additional arrests, which further solidifies the atmosphere of fear and self-preservation. Under these threatening conditions, the officers’ choice to evade arrest is rational. Gen. Koang’s assertion concerning their absence reflects a disingenuous understanding of their plight, as it overlooks the systematic security clampdown affecting one faction in the unity government.
South Sudan’s pervasive culture of presuming guilt prior to innocence complicates the situation further. The blurred lines between political, military, and judicial roles mean arrests often serve political ends, as illustrated by Governor Kuel Aguer Kuel’s lengthy imprisonment before acquittal. In this context, officers are unlikely to respond positively to calls for their return to duty given the risk of being ensnared in the same politically motivated detentions.
Gen. Koang’s appeal neglects the necessity for concrete safety guarantees if officers are to resume their roles. Essential measures would include releasing detained leaders and establishing credible assurances against further arrests. Without these changes, Koang’s call will likely be perceived as another superficial gesture within a political milieu where self-preservation supersedes duty.
In summary, the current crisis within South Sudan’s military framework reflects deep-seated issues of trust and safety, rendering calls for officers to return ineffective. The lack of credible safety assurances and the continued political repression contribute significantly to their reluctance to engage with the government. Unless meaningful reforms are implemented to disentangle military operations from political repression, the officers will likely remain in hiding, prioritizing their safety.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
