Hoping for Peace, South Sudan Professionalizes Guerrilla Army

The Government of South Sudan will attempt to convince the SPLA to become the new nation's formal military force. For decades, the SPLA acted as the guerrilla army that fought for the south's independence. GoSS will argue that the SSLA's "liberation mandate" that it was given by the people to fight the north expired with the creation of South Sudan on July 9th.

The new modern army, the South Sudan Armed Forces, will slowly but surely replace the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) that specialized in guerrilla warfare for 21 years until the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement paved the way for the January referendum. 

The government hopes that the new army can be smaller and better than its previous force.  Currently, military spending makes up the bulk of the peacetime budget.

This week, 500 officers will graduate from training programs in South Sudan and another 500 will be enrolled, a move the government hopes will increase public trust in security services that are often at the forefront of the new nation’s vast problems with corruption.

The government is also sending individuals abroad to colleges in other English-speaking countries like as Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, and the United States. The U.S Marines are also helping to train some of the SPLA.

Along with civilian disarmament, the government plans for demobilization of armed forces to streamline the army and stabilize the world’s newest nation.  It is still plagued by rebel groups that rejected South Sudan President Salva Kiir’s August offer of amnesty.

No one knows how many men are in the SPLA, but the government has pledged to cut 80,000 soldiers and another 70,000 from other security forces, including the police and wildlife services.

However, the government is keen to point out that this process could take years. Taking away jobs from those who fought for years and missed out on an education would be impossible in a country like South Sudan, where no other opportunities really exist.

Some believe the public tide of goodwill may turn if the newfound oil wealth doesn’t trickle down beyond the government’s large military purse and civil service.

Ultimately, the speed at which the government transforms its army into a modern force depends on the stability of the nation.