The sixth command council conference of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) has resolved to restructure the army and change its name to South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), a deputy military spokesman said.
SPLA deputy spokesman Santo Domic told Radio Tamazuj today that the sixth SPLA command council yesterday discussed issues related to the transformation of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLA).
He further said the meetings adopted several resolutions which include changing the name of the SPLA to South Sudan People’s Defense Forces. “The meetings of the SPLA command council that were concluded yesterday resolved that the SPLA Act of 2019 should be amended. "They said the name of the SPLA will be changed and it will be SSPDF,” he said.
He pointed out that the new changes will be amended through the national constitutional amendment committee. “The name will be officially changed when the constitutional processes are completed,” he said.
Santo pointed out that the SPLA leadership also resolved to restructure the army and adopt proper strategic plans for logistic and promotions.
The commander of the SPLA ground forces, Gen. Marial Chanuong, said that the decision to change the name was part of the effort to transform the army as stipulated in the peace agreement and the SPLA white paper.
“The current restructuring are very important step in transformation of the SPLA. They represent bold and strategically justifiable efforts of the command for years to balance the competing demands of a changing security environment, military modernization and domestic politics,” he explained.