By Bida Elly David
Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) has promised that they will continue re-enforcing more troops in replacement of the current peace keeping battalion to Congo in case peace fails to prevail in the restive eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Addressing the 300 SSPDF forces upon their departure for Goma at Juba international airport yesterday, Gen. Santino Wol the SSPDF chief of defense forces advised his soldiers to respect the rights of the natives upon landing.
He however cautioned them (SSPDF) to desist from looting of properties, stealing or raping to maintain the integrity and legacy of the young nation.
General Wol told the troops to abstain from crimes and use military discipline and ethics to execute their duties aimed at respecting and retaining the trust rendered to South Sudan by the East African Community to partake in the regional peace mission.
The CDF further urged the soldiers to bear South Sudan flag in them remarking that it is not the first time for the Country to participate in a peace keeping mission rather a historical expedition after SPLA paraded 500 troops to set Kuwait off from dilemma during Dr. John Garang’s regime yeas back.
He reminded the soldiers about the deadly M23 rebel and the government of Congo calling them to be neutral and pave amicable ways of treating the environment in a sensible manner.
General Wol said South Sudan will continue fighting until Africa is transformed into a peaceful continent in the world.
“I want to tell you that you are leaving. You will find your colleagues from the battalion of the East African community there. You are going to represent South Sudan in Congo. Your mission is to protect civilians. We hope that you create peaceful environment to the citizens in Congo. Respect old women and ladies the way you respect them in South Sudan,” he advised the soldiers.
Wol said that the SSPDF military administration in Juba shall be coordinating with the East African community bloc to ensure their total safety as they undertake their peace keeping mission to re-unite the conflicting parties.
“If the conflict in Congo fails to come to an end, we are going to replace you with other forces to ensure that you come and meet your families. We shall be re-enforcing you every year for you to spend time with your families,” he noted.
According to the recent government announcement, over 1000 SSPDF forces have set off to Democratic Republic of Congo in a bid to restore peace in the embattled eastern DRC by M23 rebels alongside other militias fighting the Kinshasa government.