South Sudan soldiers return to barracks after deserting due to low salaries

At least four officers attached to division four of the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) in Unity State have resurfaced after deserting their station on Monday due to low salaries.

Maj.Gen William Manyang Mayak, the commander of SSPDF division four said the soldiers who deserted last week have returned to their station after their salaries were increased.

“Our soldiers have returned back to the military barracks because their salaries, many soldiers have abandoned their station due to low salaries, they are in the forest cutting to burn charcoal and others are doing small business to get their daily food,” Mayak told Juba Echo.

President Salva Kiir earlier this year increased salaries of civil servants and organized forces by 400 percent, meaning a soldier at the rank of private who previously earned 1500 South Sudanese Pounds now earns 35,000 SSP.

Mayak appreciated President Kiir for boosting the moral of soldiers with improved salaries.

 “Our military’s moral has been boosted after our salaries were increased,” Mayak said.

He added that it had been very difficult to organize military parades when soldiers are hungry.

“We have organized this military parade today because all soldiers of division four are in good mood after receiving new salaries,” Mayak said.