In a statement released on Sunday, SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said a special body will be formed to oversee the exercise, stressing that the army will not hesitate to use force against those who defy the directive.
“Members of the Red Belt are hereby ordered to join the SSPDF with their personal and support weapons. A committee will be formed and dispatched to Malual-Chat Barracks to receive members of the group joining the army,” Lul stated.
He described the move as a “golden opportunity” for the militia to integrate into the national army, warning that those who refuse will be disarmed by force.
“Members declining this golden opportunity and honour to serve will face forceful disarmament at the earliest time possible,” Lul added in a strongly worded statement issued by the SSPDF Directorate of Media and Press.
The SSPDF also extended a similar warning to armed youth in Warrap State, giving them 21 days to surrender their weapons or face a comprehensive disarmament operation.
“Armed youth in Greater Warrap are hereby ordered to voluntarily hand over their weapons to the SSPDF within 21 days. Failure to comply will result in the launch of a forceful disarmament exercise,” the army cautioned.
In June this year, the army gave armed civilians in Warrap State and Mayom County of Unity State one week to voluntarily surrender their firearms, following a state of emergency declared by President Salva Kiir. That directive was accompanied by the deployment of joint security forces to enforce compliance.
Meanwhile, members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) have also been ordered to report to the nearest SSPDF barracks as part of preparations for the second phase of the Transitional Security Arrangements.
“Members of SPLA-IO are ordered to report to the nearest SSPDF barracks in preparation for the commencement of the second phase of the transitional security implementation. Those who fail to comply will be treated as hostile forces and will face the full force of the national army,” the statement read.
The new military orders come at a time of growing tensions between government and opposition forces, raising concerns about the fragile implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
Opposition leader Dr Riek Machar, the principal signatory to the peace agreement, remains in detention facing charges of murder and treason, further complicating efforts to advance the peace process.