Delay in army’s salaries may cause insecurity, Yakani warns

JUBA — Prominent civil society activist Edmund Yakani has warned that delay of army’s salaries for several months may be a source of insecurity for individuals and communities.

This comes after a soldier belonging to South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) committed suicide in the capital Juba over alleged delay of salaries which had affected family commitments.

In a statement, Yakani urged the presidency to address the salary issue of the army, warning that its delay is one of the issues that may cause insecurity in the country.

“CEPO seriously urges the national government to take care of our soldiers welfare now before it become a factor of insecurity for individuals and communities,” Yakani said in the statement extended to Sudans Post.

Yakani who is the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) said the government needs to take urgent measures to address issues of army’s salaries given the inflation which has affected livelihoods of less paid citizens.

“The presidency should take urgent act on improving payment of our soldiers for them to meet their responsibilities of safeguarding their duty of adherence to adequate standard of living,” he said.

“Political leaders at national and state levels have access to good amount of cash for earning their cost of living meanwhile our soldiers and civil servants are delayed to access their soldiers regularly. This is a trend that triggered the insecurity across the country and commitment of suicidal acts by service members,” he added.

He further urged “the president to take action on finding concrete solution on the issue of the soldiers salaries in terms of adequacy and timely payment.”