Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang’s recent appeal for military officers linked to Dr. Riek Machar to return to the SSPDF reflects a misunderstanding of the prevailing fears among these officers. Following a series of arrests aimed at opposition figures, including high-ranking SPLM-IO members, a dire security landscape has prompted these individuals to remain in hiding. The cultural belief in guilt prior to innocence complicates their return, making concrete guarantees of safety essential for any compliance with Gen. Koang’s call.
The recent call by Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, spokesperson for the Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), for military officers associated with First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar to return is perceived as either a strategic deception or a severe misinterpretation of the current predicament. As reported by Radio Tamazuj on March 9, 2025, Gen. Koang expressed his concern regarding the officers who have reportedly gone into hiding after the tumult in Nasir, offering reassurances that failed to address the underlying crises affecting them.
The officers’ choice to evade visibility is understandable given the deteriorating security situation. Key figures associated with the SPLM-IO, such as Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam and various government officials, have been arrested, reinforcing the perception of a targeted crackdown against SPLM-IO leaders. This heavy-handed strategic deployment around Dr. Machar’s residence exacerbates distrust in the government’s security forces, validating the officers’ fears and emphasizing the perilous climate they must navigate.
Moreover, the explicit plans for further arrests by the National Security Service (NSS) underscore the ongoing political and military purges. Gen. Koang’s assertion that the absence of these officers was a newfound “discovery” is unconvincing; their withdrawal stems from a foreseeable response to escalating state suppression that disproportionately targets one faction of the unity government.
The larger context of South Sudan’s systemic challenges explains why these officers are hesitant to return to their posts. The blurred lines between political, military, and judicial functions mean that arrests serve political purposes, and individuals can often face unjust detention ahead of any legal processes, as exemplified by the prolonged imprisonment of Gov. Kuel Aguer Kuel. Here, the presumption of guilt dominates, compelling individuals towards self-preservation strategies when confronted by the state’s heavy hand.
To expect these officers to heed Gen. Koang’s appeal is overly optimistic without concrete safety assurances. Immediate actions needed would include the release of detained leaders, credible commitments against further detentions, and enhanced morale from SPLM-IO leadership. Absent these changes, appeals such as Gen. Koang’s are likely to be perceived merely as rhetorical gestures in a political arena where survival supersedes duty.
In summary, South Sudan’s security framework is profoundly fragmented along political lines, with trust in state institutions dwindling. Gen. Koang’s proposals are unlikely to bear fruit unless meaningful reforms are enacted to disentangle military operations from political oppression, thereby allowing officers in hiding to return without the constant shadow of danger.
Ultimately, the precarious state of South Sudan’s security environment continues to impede military engagement amidst political strife. Without tangible reforms that safeguard the interests and lives of these officers, appeals for their return will remain ineffective, echoing in a landscape defined by fear rather than duty.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
