06/11/2025
PERSONAL OPINION “Never Judge A Book By Its Cover.”
99.9% Will Totally Fail To Get The Message
By Philip Aguek Ring
This incident — a photo or report showing a man in SSPDF uniform pointing a gun at an old woman — has understandably stirred emotions and criticism. But before anyone jumps to conclusions, it’s important to look at it carefully and consider a few facts.
First, the uniform alone doesn’t confirm identity. In South Sudan, SSPDF uniforms are widely available and often misused by individuals not officially serving in the army — criminals, armed youth, or political actors — especially during moments of tension. The presence of such impostors has long been used to tarnish the image of the national army.
Second, the SSPDF has been conducting recent peace and disarmament missions, particularly in Bor and other parts of Jonglei, aiming to collect illegal fi****ms from local youth and calm intercommunal violence. These operations are sensitive, and enemies of peace sometimes stage or manipulate images to undermine the credibility of the peace efforts or to inflame public anger against the army.
The image of the old woman pleading for her life is heartbreaking — no one, especially a mother or elder, deserves such fear. But it’s equally possible that this was staged or misinterpreted, given the current environment where propaganda spreads faster than truth.
So, rather than immediately condemning the SSPDF, the responsible thing is to call for proper verification:
• Was the man actually a serving soldier or an impersonator?
• Where and when did this happen?
• What was the context of the scene — was it part of a disarmament encounter gone wrong, or a fabricated photo?
The SSPDF leadership has repeatedly emphasized professionalism and discipline, especially in peace missions. While no institution is perfect, it’s unfair to judge the entire army based on an unverified incident.
In short: let’s condemn the act if true, but not the whole army without proof. South Sudan is in a fragile state of rebuilding peace, and spreading unverified claims could harm the very efforts meant to protect the people.
Long Live SSPDF
Long Live SSPNS
Long Live SSNPS
Long Live SSWL
Long Live SSNS
Long Live SSFB
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