Disabled South Sudanese soldiers stage protest over unpaid salaries
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March 24, 2014 (JUBA) - Disabled soldiers from the South Sudanese army
(SPLA) wounded during the recent outbreak of violence in the country
staged a protest in the capital, Juba, on Monday, over delays in the
payment of their salaries.
JPEG - 84.1 kb
Protesting soldiers seen at the University of Juba junction on 24
March 2014 (ST)
Protesters blocked traffic at the University of Juba junction, setting
up roadblocks and throwing stones at passing cars.
Soldiers who spoke to Sudan Tribune said they were protesting over the
government's failure to address a number of issues affecting military
personnel, including delays in salary payments.
Soldiers have complained about delays in salary payments and the
omission of names on the payroll.
One soldier, who now uses a walking stick to keep himself upright,
told Sudan Tribune that he had not been paid for four months.
"The rebels wounded us and these people (government authorities) don't
want to pay our salaries," he said on condition of anonymity.
Captain Dut Wal, who is one of those affected, told Sudan Tribune on
Monday that authorities had not yet responded to any of the demands
made by soldiers or taken action to address payment issues.
He said it was unfortunate that the government appeared not to
appreciate the contribution of armed forces to the defence of the
country.
"This is a peaceful demonstration. The essence of it is to draw the
attention of the government so that some of the issues we have raised
through [the] administrative chain of command and have not until now
been addressed are brought to the attention of the senior leadership,"
he said.
SOLDIERS LEFT OFF PAYROLL
Sergeant Major Abui Samson said he was left "speechless and angry"
after learning his name was not listed on the army payroll despite
being wounded in active combat.
"Actually I realised I made a wrong choice and grave mistake in
joining the army. I thought I was responding to the national call to
defend our country, hoping that the leadership would also look after
me and the family," Samson told Sudan Tribune.
"I want the public to tell me whether I and some of my colleagues have
[made] a mistake in joining the army. I also want to the public to
tell us whether we have [done] anything wrong to ask for payment. And
whether it is right to omit the name of someone in hospital bed still
recovering from wound like you can you?" he added.
SPLA spokesperson Col. Philip Aguer has admitted that some have not
received their January salaries.
He said the issue arose after soldiers wounded in conflict zones were
transferred to the capital for treatment as there is no automatic
system set up to transfer money to hospital.
"The SPLA general headquarters is working on this issue and it will be
resolved quickly," Aguer said without providing a specific date.
ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUE
Cabinet affairs minister Martin Elia Lomuro said the government was
working to address the "administrative" issue with "care and respect".
"The leadership is handling it with care and respect. The situation
has now been brought under control," Lomuro told reporters on Monday.
The finance minister said his ministry had offered solutions for the
issues raised by the soldiers, but did not elaborate further on how
the matter would be resolved.
Wal, however, accused the government of "sitting on the issue".
"Some of our colleagues are regretting and angered by behaviour of
some government officials. If you cannot solve the issue brought to
you, then why don't push it ahead to someone who would handle it or
forward it to the next level," he said.
The protest remained peaceful throughout, with soldiers later
retreating to their hospital beds.
This is not the first time soldiers have gone on strike over unpaid
salaries, with similar action also taken in March 2009.
At least 60 soldiers were killed earlier this month after fighting
erupted at Juba's Geida military barracks following a dispute over
salary payments.
Heavy gunfire erupted inside the barracks on the morning of 5 March
while salaries were in the process of being paid, sparking widespread
panic among city residents already jittery from mid-December clashes
which erupted at the same facility between rival factions of the
presidential guards.
It is undersood the incident occurred after some soldiers attempted to
collect the salaries on behalf of some of their colleagues who were
not listed on the payroll, but this was refused as government
employees are now required to collect payments in person. The measures
were implemented under a government directive to ensure wages are not
paid to so-called "ghost" workers or those who do not show up during
the payment period.
(ST)
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