Soldier displaying his machine gun. |File Photo|.
Spokesperson of South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang refuted allegations that South Sudan inked a deal with Dynamic Defence Solutions limited in the area of military machinery supply, a claim if proven genuine could attract more punitive measures from the international community.
This follows a comment published on social media by Dynamic Defence Solutions that it has sealed a deal with the leadership of South Sudan armed forces to supply military vehicles to help the soldiers with mobility.
In July 2018, the United Nations Security Council slapped an arms embargo on South Sudan crippling the country’s ability to arm its armed forces.
This year, the Security Council extended for one year the sanctions regime—including asset freezes, travel bans, and an arms embargo — imposed on South Sudan, reiterating its readiness to review arms embargo measures through modification, suspension, or progressive lifting, in light of progress achieved on critical established benchmarks, as numerous speakers highlighted that the text fails to acknowledge Juba’s positive achievements and, instead, hinders its efforts to peace and stability.
The parties to South Sudan’s conflict, however, show less commitment to comply with the UN Security Council’s advice to have this punitive measure removed. The international community wants to see the government of South Sudan implement the 2018 revitalized peace agreement in spirit and letter, but the leaders lack the political will to transition their country to a peaceful and democratic state.
Lul unequivocally denied claims by Dynamic Defence Solutions that it had reached an agreement to supply vehicles to the national army.
According to the army spokesperson, on 12 August 2024, representatives of Dynamic Defence Solutions accompanied by the assistant chief of defense forces for logistics and director for transport and maintenance paid a courtesy visit to the director general for procurement at Bilpam military headquarters in Juba.
He said the representatives only marketed the company’s areas of specialty and capabilities but did not sign a deal on the supply of military vehicles.
“In the light of the above, SSPDF command/leadership would like to conclude by underscoring that no memorandum of understanding was signed between SSPDF and Dynamic Defence Solutions; no contract was offered to Dynamic Defence Solutions to supply vehicles to SSPDF; purchase of classified/strategic equipment is beyond the jurisdiction of SSPDF and the directorate of procurement,” Lul said.
He hinted that the SSPDF is still under an arms embargo and hence has no legal basis and authority to engage in defense contracts.
Lul distanced the SSPDF from the claims made by Dynamic Defence Solutions that it was contracted to supply vehicles.
In 2020, Amnesty International discovered evidence of newly imported small arms and ammunition, illicit concealment of weapons, and diversion of armoured vehicles for military uses not approved under the arms transfer licenses.
Government and former opposition forces’ reporting on security arrangements actively deceived Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-supported monitors, showing an urgent need for meticulous, independent verification.
Investigators gained access to 12 military training and cantonment sites across the country run by members of formerly opposed forces including the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO), and South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), as well as the so-called “Organized Forces” of the police, fire brigade, and wildlife service.
Amnesty International therefore believes that these weapons were brought into South Sudan in violation of the arms embargo.
