The security details of all ministers will be reduced, after a security meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir last week resolved to adopt cuts.
South Sudan’s Minister of Interior, Michael Chiangjiek Geay told Radio Tamazuj Wednesday that he issued an order on March 29 to enforce the new security measures.
He explained that ministers are allowed to have four bodyguards only, saying the directive is a normal arrangement.
The law requires each minister be assigned not more than four security officers, he said.
“I know some ministers have three bodyguards and others have two bodyguards. According to the law, each minister is allowed to have four security guards, two are personal bodyguards and two others are deployed at home,” he said.
“I want to say that people should comply with the law. Please keep four bodyguards only according to the law,” he added.
Minister Chiangjiek further said ministers are allowed to enter the presidential palace with only one bodyguard and one driver.
“We want to reduce the presence of many soldiers and security guards around J1,” he said.
Chiangjiek noted that VIP protection of the ministers and other senior government officials is not allowed to carry any heavy gun.
“It is not allowed to carry heavy machine guns. We don’t want our citizens to live in fear. There is no need to carry heavy guns because the country is stable,” he said.
Separately, Chiangjiek said he had banned tinted car windows and vehicles without number plates, saying police authorities would take action on them. He pointed out that the order issued by his ministry aims at improving safety across the country.
However, the minister acknowledged that some police officers have already taken advantage of the directive, harassing civilians.
“There are many car windows with factory tints, so those cars should not be touched. I am also urging our citizens to cooperate with our personnel so that the order is implemented smoothly,” he said.
He explained that the new directive came after reports of surging crime rates.