SSPDF Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Santino Deng Wol addresses troops at the military barracks in Ayod County. | Courtesy

The Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Santino Deng Wol, has directed South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) soldiers in Jonglei State to halt attacks on SPLA-IO forces and maintain the ceasefire, stating that the peace agreement is active.

Gen. Wol made these remarks during a visit to a military base in Ayod County, Jonglei State. He stated that personnel who do not participate in the second phase of unified forces training must disarm and return to civilian life or face classification as criminals.

Gen Wol stressed that armed confrontation does not resolve conflict and that dialogue remains the pathway to peace.

“The agreement the government signed, we the army will stand with it because we are the force that protect the people of South Sudan,” Gen. Wol said.

“We say the agreement did not collapse; we are still in the agreement. We trained the first phase and they were deployed in Bahr El Ghazal, Upper Nile and Equatoria. Fighting is not a solution, dialogue comes first.”

“In the second phase, those who will be left out, we will ask them if they are civilians then you have to hand over your gun or you will be considered a criminal.

“Do not attack the SPLA-IO forces in their places because we are in peace; fight only in self-defense,” Gen. Wol concluded.