The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) 5th Infantry commander in Western Bahr el Ghazal State, Maj. Gen. Abraham Gum, on Tuesday, said the national army is committed to desist from politics.

Addressing the public in Wau town on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army struggle that was launched in 1983 against the Khartoum regime, Gum has said the national army also remains committed to protecting the territorial integrity of the country.

Maj. Gen. Gum explained: “It is our major duty to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our nation. In the course of doing this duty, I am cautioning all soldiers to respect human rights in our constitution and other international treaties that South Sudan is among them”.

“Dear comrades in uniform, as we are celebrating our day today, the 16 May, I am warning all officers and NCOs, especially those under my command in the 5th Infantry Elephant division, to avoid involving themselves in politics, and we are not political assets of any politician,” he said.

Gum said the national army is not part of political parties or to be used as political-military wings.

“We are not assets to politicians. We should not allow politicians to divide us to gain their selfish political interests, which has put our country into this situation,” said Gum.

The army general called on the national government to address the welfare of the army that liberated this nation.

“I Am calling the national government to look into the welfare of soldiers who have sacrificed to serve their nation at a low cost of living, and they did not give up. I am requesting a quick consideration of the situation in their families,” he said.

For her part, the state Governor Sarah Cleto Rial, has supported the division commander’s calls for the army to distinguish themselves from the armed wings of political parties.

“The message from the division commander is very clear, no political party will play any game with organized forces. These are the forces of South Sudan, and they are here to protect South Sudan,” she said.

“You are people in uniforms, don’t be politicized, we in Western in Bahr el Ghazal, we want to ensure, and we are ensuring that there is no return to war,” she said.