SSPDF soldiers deployed to DR Congo peacekeeping mission. Photo || Lou Nelson || Eye Radio - 28th Dec. 2022

Some members of the public have criticized the government for preparing a battalion of the army to be sent to DR Congo, citing the failure to address the ongoing violence in some parts of the Country.

On Wednesday 28th, December 2022, President Salva Kiir saw off over 700 soldiers expected to depart to the Democratic Republic of Congo for the regional peacekeeping mission.

The SSPDF soldiers from different units are now part of the East Africa regional task force.

The components of military police, military intelligence, signal corps, engineering corps, and administration, logistics and infantry units – underwent four months of training in Juba.

They are set to be airlifted to DR Congo soon, but the date has not been mentioned.

Speaking on Eye Radio’s Dawn Show today, some members of the public criticized the government over the decision to send soldiers to the DRC Congo.

They said the national government should not prioritize regional duties over the ongoing conflict in some parts of the country.

The unnamed person said: “How would the government contribute its soldiers to go and help in DR Congo? Congolese are not more important than South Sudanese. Many South Sudanese are dying across the country. Even within Juba where the national government is, people are dying there. And the Congolese are going to be protected not die and the South Sudanese will continue to die. Will all the other remaining groups go to Congo, or will they remain in South Sudan? The President or the government must check about this.”

Another person said: “Our problem is within, and we have even failed to address and strengthen the internal security. We can’t disarm the civilians or pay soldiers’ salaries because we have failed our national duty. But I have seen nothing to do with outside duties, South Sudan would take part and give something good.”

“There is a saying that says, put your house in order before you help your neighbor. The sending is not genuine because we have so many crises that need to be addressed like the force being sent abroad. So why can’t we solve the problems of Malakal by deploying these forces there to prevent anything not to happen?” said one of the citizens.

In response, the SSPDF spokesperson, Maj. Gen Lul Ruai Koang has defended the decision saying it is also a mandate of the government to take part in the regional tasks.

Gen. Koang added that there is no country with absolute security despite the government’s effort to stabilize the country.

He also acknowledged the efforts of the regional bodies during the liberation struggle and after the independence of the country.

“The security is relative. There is no absolute security in any given country. We are getting on top of the problems that we have been facing,” said Gen. Lul.

“The whole country is not on fire; we have some hot spots areas and that shouldn’t stop us from contributing towards regional peace,

“If you could remember when we started having our wars, the region responded by either mediating for us peace or sending troops, and that is why we have about 17,000 here,

“These countries have contributed to the realization of stability in our country. They didn’t do it because they don’t have problems, but they said as much as we are having some problems, the people from South Sudan must be assisted. Likewise, our brothers from Congo have been suffering for the last six years.”

There have been reports of insecurity in the Upper Nile and Pibor Administrative Area.