The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Lt. General Abraham Manyuat has urged police personnels to stay away from politics citing that their job need neutrality.
The IGP made the statement while addressing participates during the ceremony to rehabilitate and inaugurate the new Border Police offices.
Manyuat emphasized that police personnels are non partisans and should not be members or supporters of political parties.
He added that just like other part of the world, any police officer found guilty of involvement in politics will face serious punishment including dismissal from the service.
“We will dismiss and suspend the promotion of any police officer involved in politics,” Manyuat said
He added that other punitive measures to be implemented include a penalty of dismissal from promotion, suspension, or final dismissal from the police service among others.
However, despites cleared laws guiding the work of police services Manyuat said that some officials intend to be involve in politics which is prohibited.
The IGP urged the officials to respect the law and also respect those who are not respecting the law of the country.
Last year, the leadership of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) issued a stern warning to military officers from the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), urging them to refrain from engaging in political activities.
Also in January 2022, President Salva Kiir Mayardit issued a decree prohibiting all active officers, non-commissioned officers (NCOs), and members of the SSPDF from participating in political activities.
The Republican order banned all active members of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), and members of other organized forces from participating in politics and also from leading community organizations.
The decree also banned military officers from involvement in youth and women’s organizations and from spreading hate speech on social media.
“I, Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, Commander-in-Chief of the SSPDF and the Supreme Commander of all the other Regular Forces, do hereby issue this Republican Order for the Prohibition of All Active Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOS) in the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and all the Other Regular Forces from Participating in Politics, Leadership of Respective Communities, Youth or Women Organizations, the Promotion of Propaganda and Hate Speeches on Social Media Platforms,” Kiir said in the decree.