The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) has said officers and men who want to contest in the 22 December General Elections must resign their commissions and leave military service.
The directive was contained in a press statement titled “Resignation from Military Service, a prerequisite to contest in December 2026 General Elections” put out by SSPDF Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang on Tuesday afternoon on his Facebook page.
“This brief statement serves to inform all our servicemen/servicewomen that the highest leadership and command of SSPDF has given approval to those aspiring to contest in the forthcoming December 22, 2026 General Elections to do so under the following strict and mandatory conditions,” the statement reads in part. “First and foremost, an aspirant must write and tender a duly written resignation letter to SSPDF’s Assistant Chief of Defence Forces for Administration, Personnel and Finance.”
“And finally, upon successful receipt of the resignation letter, the SSPDF command will release you without further unnecessary delays,” the statement added.
Gen. Ruai said the command wishes aspirants good luck in advance.
On 31 December 2021, President Salva Kiir Mayardit issued Republican Order No. 27/2021 banning active-duty military and regular forces from participating in politics and community leadership.
The order prohibits active officers and NCOs across regular forces from engaging in politics and restricts community leadership and social media misconduct.
Interestingly, President Kiir, even after the order, has often appointed soldiers to political positions.
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