The Director General for the Internal Security Bureau (ISB) of the National Security Service (NSS), Gen. Akec Tong Aleu, on Tuesday warned officers of the service against involvement and participation in politics and corruption.
Speaking during his reception at the ISB Headquarters in the Jebel neighborhood of Juba City, Gen. Tong said lobbying for political posts by members of the security force is strictly prohibited.
“Lobbying for any political position by any individual through the power and any authority of the Director General of National Security Bureau is strictly prohibited, all ISB officers and NCOs should strictly stick to their mandate,” Tong said.
He assured the officers that he would work to ensure that officers who have served in various positions for a long time are promoted.
“I am aware that the promotion of officers has taken long, and while I assume duties as a director general of the ISB, I will commit and consult with the president of the Republic of South Sudan to effect the promotions,” he added.
The spy chief also warned against corruption, stressing that he will not condone acts that will tarnish his reputation and legacy.
“The leadership of the army is here and I want to tell them to take care of that institution properly. From today onwards the act of corruption that is taking place in this country should stop and this is a redline between you and my position,” he emphasized. “I have relatives among you but do not see me as your relative, even my sons are among you, my children are among you, but this is a redline. Do not cross it! Once you cross it, you all carry your crosses. This is what brought me to this institution and my country and from here I will go to my house and I do not want to corrupt my legacy because I fought for this country.”
For his part, Obuto Mamur Mete, the Minister for National Security, urged officers to strictly stick to the mission and vision of the service.
“I want all of you in the National Security to work in harmony because we are the core behind this nation built by our president. Let us not be involved in politics because our mission as National Security is controlled by three circumstances; we must not look inwards, we must look outwards to see our map of South Sudan of 1947 and how we can bring it back to our land that is number one strategy in all our strategic mission,” he said. “We must protect all South Sudanese regardless of so-called tribe or color or gender and we must treat them equally because they are all South Sudanese.”
Minister Mamur added: “We must look critically at those who want to bring down the flag of South Sudan unconventionally and this is our primary aim.”
He said those who want leadership must come to power through an election and have to be cleared by the NSS to ensure they have no hidden agenda.