Presidential Directive Ends Use of SPLA for Personal Security
In a surprising turn of events, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has issued an order effectively banning the use of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) for personal protection by all top government officials. This landmark decision is expected to reshape security protocols at the highest echelons of the government.
Details of the Order
The mandate, which found unanimous support during a Council of Ministers session last Friday, strips the privilege from any high-ranking government official of employing SPLA soldiers as personal bodyguards. The directive is sweeping in its reach, leaving no clarity on whether this applies to the SPLM-IO faction headed by First Vice President Taban Deng Gai.
A principal officer from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated to the South Sudan News Agency that the ruling indeed encompasses all senior officials in possession of constitutional roles, irrespective of political alliance.
Enforcement and Compliance
South Sudan’s Information Minister, Michael Makuey Lueth, has communicated that the decree necessitates the immediate release of SPLA bodyguards from their duties. Lueth reinforced the constitutional standpoint that posits the national police as the sole entity sanctioned for providing personal security services.
Impact on Internal Security Measures
The abrupt nature of this policy implementation raises questions about the immediate impact on the security detail of high-profile government officials. The government’s resolve in principally engaging the police for personal protection duties emphasizes a formal distinction between national defense services and individual security obligations.
Travel and Hospitality Amidst New Security Protocols
As the country adapts to these significant changes in security protocols for its officials, the implications on travel and hospitality in South Sudan are yet to be seen. The move is likely to increase demand for professional security services among the private sector and could foster a ground for improved standards in the burgeoning hospitality industry, ensuring that visitors and tourists continue to feel safe during their stay in South Urbans and other cities across the nation.