South Sudan’s military leadership is warning soldiers against becoming involved in political activities as the country moves toward its scheduled December elections, stressing that the army must remain under its command structure and maintain public confidence.
Chief of Defence Forces General Santino Deng Wol delivered the warning during a briefing with military personnel at the army headquarters, where he placed particular emphasis on discipline, civilian protection and political neutrality.
Wol said soldiers should not allow political differences to enter the military, arguing that the conduct of individual officers could affect how the public views the entire armed forces.
The army chief also sought to dispel speculation that President Salva Kiir’s absence from the country could create an opening for instability or unauthorized action by security forces.
He said the military leadership remains in communication with the President and that soldiers are not permitted to act independently of the established chain of command.
“There is nothing we can do without approval from the President,” Wol said, rejecting suggestions that the President’s absence could trigger military action.
The CDF said military commanders had kept the President informed about their activities, including security patrols conducted in and around the capital.
“We are working with the President and we told the President that we are going to do patrols,” he said.
Wol said the patrols were also intended to reassure civilians that security institutions remained operational despite the President being outside the country.
“That is why there was a patrol to tell people that the President has gone somewhere and his soldiers are there,” he said.
With elections approaching, Wol urged members of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) to distinguish their duties as soldiers from political activities.
He called on officers and rank-and-file personnel to remain professional and avoid behaviour that could be interpreted as taking sides in the country’s political contest.
The message comes at a politically sensitive time for South Sudan. The country is scheduled to hold general elections on December 22, 2026, following several postponements since independence. The electoral process is unfolding alongside unresolved political and security challenges.