The Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) decree-ically becomes the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), akin to the Ugandan People’s Defense Forces (UPDF), if you will. How much of the SPLA was actually SPLA? The change should be welcomed by those to whom the name SPLA means the historical sacrifices and struggle of their loved ones, a sacred heritage to be honored and glorified, rather than abused and desecrated.
Update from Maal Maker: The 6th SPLA Extra Ordinary Command Council Conference ended in Juba today in SPLA Bilpam General Headquarters. The conference discussed issues related to the transformation of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLA) under the theme: Restructuring for Effective Transformation.
The Conference passed more than seventy (70) resolutions starting with the key issues as stipulated in the document.
Among the items included:
- Changing the name of the SPLA to South Sudan People’s Defense Forces.
- Establishment of two Undersecretaries in the Ministry of Defense.
- Proper strategic plan procedure for logistic and procurement. Clear policy for motivation and promotion in the Army.
- Capacity building in term of technology and technical requirement for the Army personals.
- Enough funding for pension scheme to enable relaid off soldiers to start new life.
- Building Defense Institute of Intelligence.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, President Salva Kiir Mayardit, the Commander in Chief of the SPLA said the resolutions and the recommendations must be implemented immediately without wasting time.
President Kiir said restructuring the SPLA into an effective army to the World standard need our collective efforts. We must start now Said the President.
President Kiir said restructuring the SPLA into an effective army to the World standard need our collective efforts. We must start now Said the President.
President Kiir said restructuring the SPLA into an effective army to the World standard need our collective efforts. We must start now Said the President.
President Kiir said any recruitment must be done as per the recommendation through State level, with an equal share from all the tribes. President Kiir also said the deployment of Regional Protection Force is happening soon, and the SPLA plus all the stakeholders are expected to cooperate.
He also questions the new mandate since the time stipulated expired last year in December 2016.
Hon. Kuol Manyang Juuk, the Minister of Defense stressed the importance of reorganizing the Army in order to provide security and protection in the Country. He urged the Army to productive instead of relying on the Ministry of Finance.
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