SSPDF: Soldiers Must Resign to Contest South Sudan Elections

• The SSPDF has mandated that all military personnel must resign from service to contest the December 22, 2026 General Elections.
• This directive was issued via a press statement by SSPDF Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang.
• Aspiring candidates are required to submit a formal resignation letter to the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces for Administration, Personnel, and Finance.
• President Salva Kiir Mayardit previously issued Republican Order No. 27/2021 in December 2021, banning active military from political participation.
• Despite the 2021 order, President Kiir has frequently appointed active soldiers to political positions.

Lawyers advising military personnel or political candidates in South Sudan must therefore be acutely aware of both the explicit resignation requirement and the historical inconsistencies, as these factors will shape the legal and practical landscape for participation in the upcoming elections.

The South Sudan Peoples Defence Forces (SSPDF) has issued a clear directive for its personnel who harbor political ambitions, stating that all officers and enlisted men intending to contest the upcoming December 22, 2026 General Elections must first resign from military service. This mandatory requirement was formally communicated in a press statement released by SSPDF Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang on a Tuesday afternoon, which he shared on his Facebook page. The statement, explicitly titled "Resignation from Military Service, a prerequisite to contest in December 2026 General Elections," underscores the strict conditions under which SSPDF soldiers resign South Sudan elections.

According to the directive, the highest echelons of the SSPDF leadership and command have sanctioned this policy, providing a pathway for military members to participate in the political process. The primary condition stipulates that any aspirant must submit a formal letter of resignation to the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces for Administration, Personnel, and Finance. Upon the successful receipt and processing of this resignation, the SSPDF command has pledged to release the individual from service without undue delay. Maj. Gen. Ruai extended well wishes to all aspiring candidates, emphasizing the military's support for their democratic participation under these specified terms.

This recent announcement from the SSPDF regarding election eligibility for its members operates within a broader regulatory landscape established by previous presidential decrees. On December 31, 2021, President Salva Kiir Mayardit enacted Republican Order No. 27/2021, which explicitly prohibited active-duty military and regular forces from engaging in political activities or community leadership roles. This order was comprehensive, barring active officers and non-commissioned officers across all regular forces from political involvement and imposing restrictions on community leadership and even social media conduct. The intent was to depoliticize the military and ensure its neutrality.

However, the implementation of these SSPDF election participation rules has not been entirely consistent. Despite the clear prohibitions outlined in Republican Order No. 27/2021, President Kiir himself has frequently appointed serving military personnel to various political positions since the order's promulgation. This practice introduces a notable discrepancy between the stated policy of separating the military from politics and the actual executive actions, creating a complex environment for South Sudan military election eligibility. This historical context of appointments, juxtaposed with the new resignation mandate, highlights potential areas of legal ambiguity for those navigating the political landscape.

The directive for SSPDF soldiers to resign before seeking office holds significant implications for the integrity and fairness of the South Sudan 2026 general elections. By mandating resignation, the SSPDF aims to ensure that military personnel who choose to enter politics do so as civilians, theoretically removing any potential for undue influence or conflict of interest that might arise from their active service status. This move provides a clear procedural framework for military members aspiring to political office, offering a defined path for their transition into civilian political life.

For individuals within the military considering a run for office, this directive clarifies the necessary steps, ensuring they understand the mandatory separation from service. However, the existing precedent of presidential appointments of active military members to political roles, despite the 2021 order, could lead to questions about the consistent application of these rules. Lawyers advising military personnel or political candidates in South Sudan must therefore be acutely aware of both the explicit resignation requirement and the historical inconsistencies, as these factors will shape the legal and practical landscape for participation in the upcoming elections.

Lawyers advising military personnel or political candidates in South Sudan must be aware of the mandatory resignation requirement for SSPDF members wishing to contest the 2026 General Elections. This directive clarifies the process but also highlights potential inconsistencies with previous presidential orders regarding military involvement in politics, which may require careful legal navigation.

Source: Original reporting via local South Sudanese news outlets