David Onyieu Demi, a member of South Sudan’s National Legislative Assembly, has criticized a recent decision by the SPLA high command to segregate by ethnicity SPLA units deployed in Maban County.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj yesterday, the lawmaker who is representing constituency number 4 in Maban County said he supports the concerns raised recently by the Maban County Commissioner James Pasha on the matter.

He pointed out that the decision of segregation within the ranks of the SPLA forces based on ethnicities is not in the right direction, saying it could stir up sedition in the county.

“The decision is a gross violation of the transitional constitution of South Sudan,” he emphasized.

Earlier this week, the Maban County Commissioner James Pasha expressed concern about the security situation in his area following what he termed military deployments ‘based on ethnicity’ by the SPLA leadership.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Pasha explained that the national army (SPLA) forces in the county have been separated into different camps based on tribe, saying Nuer soldiers were recently transferred from Jamam to the county headquarters while Dinka soldiers were deployed in Jamam area. 

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