The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) has directed military personnel seeking to contest in the December General Elections to resign from active service before entering the race.
The directive, issued on Tuesday, follows a warning by the Chief of Defence Forces, General Santino Deng Wol, against serving military officers contesting in the elections while still in active service.
In a statement issued by SSPDF spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang, the army command said interested servicemen and women must submit written resignation letters to the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces for Administration, Personnel and Finance.
The statement said the command would release applicants from military service upon receiving their resignation letters, without unnecessary delays.
In his earlier directive, General Wol urged serving military personnel to remain focused on their duties and avoid active political participation while in uniform.
He also called on SSPDF members to remain neutral and refrain from political activities while in uniform.
The December 22 polls are expected to be South Sudan’s first general elections since independence in 2011.
The post SSPDF orders soldiers to resign before contesting December elections first appeared on Eye Radio.