FILE: SSPDF in Juba - courtesy

The spokesperson for the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) has assured the public that the increased deployment and street patrols of security forces across Juba have no bad intentions, but are meant to demonstrate stability and maintain peace.

Speaking to Eye Radio on Saturday, August 29, Army spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang stated that the decision to increase troop presence on the streets was taken by the Chief of Defence Forces after conducting a security assessment of the capital.

Maj. Gen. Lul explained that President Salva Kiir was informed of the assessment and authorized the operational move in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the SSPDF and Supreme Commander of all organized forces.

The army spokesperson clarified that while the Chief of Defence Forces independently identified the need to scale up patrols, he sought presidential approval before launching the operation.

According to Maj. Gen. Lul, the increased military presence is designed to demonstrate government control, maintain public calm, and counter rumors of insecurity that frequently surface on social media when the President travels abroad.

“The deployment was done with the approval of the Commander-in-Chief,” Maj. Gen. Lul said.

“If there are any rumors circulating on social media that there are bad intentions regarding the increased presence of security forces and their deployment, no. They were just deployed to demonstrate our show of force, to reassure our people that even when the President is away, there’s nothing out of control.”

Maj. Gen. Lul noted that the military leadership reaffirmed its commitment to executive directives on reorganizing, modernizing, and professionalizing the army.