Joint force parade. (Photo: Sebit Patrick).

The joint security forces assigned to maintain public safety during the festive season have organized a show of force parade at Buluk in Juba on Tuesday ahead of their deployment.

The show-of-force brought together thousands of servicemen from the different security sectors.

Army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai stated that the parade was aimed at demonstrating to the citizens the government’s determination and capability to maintain security during the festive season.

“This show of force parade is aimed at achieving two goals. One, to reassure the public that we in the organized forces are ready, very much ready, with the right numbers put in place to provide security from now on until we are done with the festive season,” he said.

“So we are showing this, we are demonstrating to the people that we have what it takes to protect them and the only way for them to know is for us to hold a parade, which is intended to show our force.”

Gen. Lul said the joint force parade will also act as a deterrence against those harboring intentions of committing crimes.

“The second reason is that once these forces are seen on social media, they are shown on the main stream media, the videos and the pictures, it will act as a deterrent to those who might be harboring intentions of committing crimes.”

“This is the reason why we are showing all this combat support equipment and weapons, to let them know that we are not only here in numbers, but we also have the firepower it takes for us to meet any eventuality.”

According to the army spokesperson, the forces have been briefed on their sole responsibilities during this deployment, adding that they will work within the confines of the law.

He however urged that anyone harassed by the forces should report to the SSPDF headquarters or any security sector around them.

The spokesperson, however, did not disclose the exact number of the forces mobilized citing that such can only be determined by their various units.

Lul however disclosed that one-month salary for the forces is being availed through the day.