 has announced that active servicemen and servicewomen intending to contest in the forthcoming December general elections must resign from military service and obtain approval from the force’s senior leadership.){kind=link}
By Otto Abut|CRN
The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) has announced that active servicemen and servicewomen intending to contest in the forthcoming December general elections must resign from military service and obtain approval from the force’s senior leadership.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, SSPDF spokesperson Lul Ruai Kong said military personnel aspiring to participate in the elections must submit formal resignation letters to the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces for Administration, Personnel and Finance for approval.
“First and foremost, an aspirant must write and tender a duly written resignation letter to SSPDF’s Assistant Chief of Defence Forces for Administration, Personnel and Finance.”
The statement emphasized that resignation is a mandatory requirement for any active soldier seeking to contest in the elections.
“Upon successful receipt of the resignation letter, the SSPDF command will release you without further unnecessary delays,” the statement reads.
The announcement comes as South Sudan prepares for general elections scheduled for December, with members of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) already declaring their candidacies.
However, the electoral preparations are unfolding amid concerns raised by opposition political parties over the state of civic space, the need for a clear electoral roadmap, and other outstanding issues surrounding the conduct of the polls.
The SSPDF directive clarifies the military’s position on the participation of serving personnel in electoral politics, requiring those seeking elective office to formally leave active military service before proceeding with their political ambitions.
The December elections are expected to be a major test for South Sudan’s political transition, particularly as political parties prepare for the polls while questions remain about the electoral process, political freedoms, and the conditions necessary for credible elections.