SSPDF uniform displays the national flag patch - Photo credit: Getty Images

The Commander-in-Chief of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), and all organized forces, President Salva Kiir has issued a sweeping directive banning officers from posting images of their uniforms, rank insignia, promotions, or official presidential documents on social media platforms.

The directive, issued through the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Africano Mande Gedima, takes immediate effect and applies to all commissioned and non-commissioned officers serving in the SSPDF, the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS), the National Security Service (NSS), and other organized forces of the Republic.

According to the circular, the measures are intended to “protect the sanctity of the Presidential Signature and to restore institutional discipline across all organized forces.”

“The provisions in this Circular apply to every officer—both commissioned and non-commissioned—within the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, the South Sudan National Police Service, the National Security Service, and all other organized forces of the Republic,” the document states.

Under the new order, it is “strictly forbidden to photograph, scan, or post any official document bearing the Signature of the President and Commander-in-Chief on the Internet, social media, or any other public domain.” The prohibition explicitly includes platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and X.

“This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, Presidential Decrees for promotions, commissioning of officers, and operational assignment orders,” the circular adds.

The directive also addresses what it describes as a growing trend among newly promoted officers who publicly display their new ranks and uniforms on social media.

“It has been noted with grave concern that a trend has emerged where newly promoted officers immediately adorn their uniforms and rank insignia for the sole purpose of vanity displays on social media,” the document states, warning that such behavior subjects “professional military transitions to public debate and institutional disrespect.”

As part of the new regulations, the posting of images in uniform to celebrate promotions has been banned with immediate effect. “The practice of posting images in uniform to celebrate promotions on social media is hereby forbidden and must stop immediately,” the circular states.

The document further reminds officers of the symbolic weight of the uniform, stressing that “the uniform represents national service and state authority.” It cautions that it “is not a tool for personal social media engagement, vanity displays, or unauthorized public commentary on executive matters.”

To tighten control over executive communications, the directive states that presidential decrees must be handled confidentially and delivered only to designated authorities, including the Chief of Defence Forces, the Inspector General of Police, or heads of respective security services.

Access to such documents will now be governed strictly by the “need-to-know” principle, with the circular emphasizing that original documents bearing the President’s signature must never be circulated outside authorized administrative offices.

The order further requires heads of organized forces to submit a consolidated compliance report to the Office of the President within 48 hours following the conclusion of any promotion or assignment exercise.

The circular warns that violations will be treated as serious disciplinary offenses, with possible penalties including stripping of rank, dismissal from service, or prosecution under the SSPDF Act, the Police Act, or other national security laws.

The government says the measures are necessary to reinforce professionalism, discipline, and respect for executive authority within South Sudan’s organized forces.