Over 2,500 Former Matip's Officers and Men Will Not be Integrated into SPLA

It was mention on several occasions that Lt-Gen. Paulino Matip had developed differences with the SPLM/A leadership. This information has been denied by Lt-Gen. Paulino Matip himself. But what seems to be taking place between the forces of Lt-Gen. Paulino Matip known as the South Sudan Defence Force or SSDF does indicate that indeed there is a problem.

According to a public statement written by the SSDF, it claims that the SPLA Chief of Staff (CoS) and his Deputy Salva Mathok, have, on no uncertain terms, informed the SSDF soldiers who have not been integrated into the SPLA that they would not be integrated। According to public statement very well over 2,500 officers and men from the SSDF are not to be integrated in the SPLA.

1st-Lt। David Bol Machok, the official Spokesman and Coordinator of the Rejected SSDF soldiers, and who can be reached on telephone: +249-129498055, said "On April 4th, 2008, the SPLA Chief-of-staff, Lt-Gen. Oyai Deng Ajak, and his Deputy, Maj-Gen. Salva Mathok, came to our headquarters and told us that the leadership of the SPLA has decided not to integrate 2,511 soldiers into the SPLA."

This is a very serious thing to say। Even if it is absolutely natural that the SPLM/A cannot reintegrate all the former SSDF into their rank and file, just like the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) could not do likewise, a way for these soldiers should be found. It will be a disaster if not a crime to leave such a great number of soldiers without any benefits from the DDR programme. Some of these could go haywire and will be difficult to control them once they enter into the bushes of the South. Rebellions start like that and unless that issue of DDR for the soldiers that the SPLA cannot integrate is addressed, no one should be blamed in future for the outcome of such adamancy except the SPLM/A itself.

One would truly wish that the SPLM/A, after committing itself to what was popularly known as the 'Juba Declaration', finds a solution to this people, some of whom were already integrated into the SAF but convinced by the SPLM/A that they would be integrated with the SPLM/A if they leave the enemy camp। These people will hold the SPLM/A and not anybody else responsible for what would happen to them, especially if it is on the negative side.

It is the hope of this author that the reasons given for none integration of these soldiers are not sectional and/or tribal in any form। Meaning, those who are kingmakers in the SPLA should try not to segregate the South Sudanese people on tribal lines. We are all aware that the SPLA hierarchy is composed of true South Sudanese and from different tribal backgrounds. This being the case, we hope that the reasons for none integration of these SSDF forces into the SPLA is lack of resources and not based on their origin.

Since the SPLA is trying to demobilize, disarm and reintegrate into the society some of its own soldiers, such an activity should include those others whom the SPLM/A cannot integrate into its rank and file. There are so many other ways in which a case of these people could be handled. No speculations from this side but our hope is that the SPLM/A would find a way not to anger this people and let them loose.