South Sudan War: New army chief cautions Army on politics
Newly appointed chief of defense staff of South Sudan’s army General James Ajonga Mawut has warned soldiers against involvement in politics saying the army is not a political institution to protest changes in command. He defined their work as limited to guarding the country and protecting it from external threats and harm
“When someone is removed from the institution, it is not the institution which is removed. It is the individual and the system remains intact. Changes in command are prerogatives of the president in his capacity as commander in chief, and as soldiers, we comply with orders and implement them,” he said in a meeting with senior military officers on Friday.
“We are not politicians and so it is important we do not talk politics. It is not our work. Our work is to defend the constitution, guard the country and protect civilians from external aggression,” further said Gen. Mawut.
He assured the army’s loyalty to the constitution and President Salva Kiir in a bid to downplay fears of rifts in the ranks and files, dispelling speculations that the army is split between those protesting the removal and replacement of the former chief of staff.
On 10 May, President Salva Kiir removed the former SPLA chief of general staff Paul Malong Awan and sacked a number of generals from their positions in the army command. The purge aimed to consolidate Kiir power, as the intelligence service warned him against the presidential ambitions of his former close ally.
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