Fear and Duty: The Silence of South Sudan’s Military Officers

Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang’s appeal for military officers connected to Dr. Riek Machar to return is seen as either misguided or duplicitous given the security threats officers face. The atmosphere surrounding recent arrests in the SPLM-IO signals a challenging environment for trust and compliance. Until secure and credible measures are in place, calls for return to duty will be met with skepticism and fear, underscoring the fractured relationship between the military and the state.

On March 9, 2025, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, spokesperson for the Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), urged military officers linked to First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar to return to duty. His statements, however, may reflect a severe misunderstanding of the circumstances or a calculated deception. He emphasized that the conflict should not concern these officers, yet his reassurances appear superficial amid a deeper crisis affecting security and trust.

The decision of these officers to remain in hiding is a rational response to an increasingly threatening security landscape. This decision follows several arrests of prominent figures from the SPLM-IO, including military and political leaders, which indicates a targeted oppression of certain factions in the government. With the heavy security presence around Dr. Machar’s residence and the threat of further arrests announced by the National Security Service (NSS), it is prudent for officers to evade detention. The portrayal of their absence as a “discovery” by Gen. Koang fails to consider their justified fears of persecution.

A critical mix of systemic dysfunction characterizes South Sudan’s approach to law and governance, wherein political motives frequently overshadow judicial processes. The case of Gov. Kuel Aguer Kuel is illustrative; he was imprisoned for seventeen months before acquittal, exemplifying how political utility often dictates detention practices. Given this context, returning to duty upon vague assurances is unfeasible for these officers, who are acutely aware of the risks involved.

For officers to consider returning to work, tangible guarantees of safety are essential. Key conditions would include the release of detained leaders, firm pledges against further arrests, and trust-building initiatives spearheaded by SPLM-IO leadership. Absent these measures, Gen. Koang’s call will likely resonate as an empty gesture in a political landscape where personal safety outweighs professional duty.

The current state of South Sudan’s security sector reveals a profound political divide, resulting in diminished trust toward state institutions. Calls for officers to return to duty, like that of Gen. Koang, remain largely ineffective without substantial reforms and assurances. It is imperative that the government dissociates military actions from political oppression; only then might those currently in hiding consider re-engagement with their duties.

Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org