Azande King Urges SSPDF to Embrace the South Sudanese Uniform as a National Symbol
Azande King Urges SSPDF to Embrace the South Sudanese Uniform as a National Symbol
By Joseph Ernesto
As South Sudan celebrates its Independence Day, yesterday 9th July 2024, the king of the Azande Kingdom has issued a powerful call for the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) to recognize the national uniform as a symbol that belongs to the entire nation, not to any individual or ethnic group.
"The SSPDF uniform is not the property of any one person or group, it is the symbol of our nation, South Sudan," the Azande King declared in a speech delivered to a large gathering of the SSPDF division 6 battalion at the palace.
photo by Joseph Ernasto
In his address, King Atoroba Peni Rikito Gbudue urged all South Sudanese to regain trust in each other and this call for unity and trust resonates with many South Sudanese who have been grappling with the aftermath of the country's civil war.
"We must remember that the SSPDF is a national institution, tasked with protecting and serving all the people of South Sudan," the King emphasized. "The uniform they wear should be a source of pride for every citizen, regardless of their background."
He continued, "The SSPDF uniform symbolizes our shared struggle, sacrifices, and aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous South Sudan," the King said. "It is time for us to reclaim this uniform as a unifying force, and to stand together as one nation, indivisible."
Photo by Joseph Ernasto
As South Sudan celebrates its independence, he added that it’s important to rededicate to the ideals of unity, equality, and justice that the nation was founded upon.
The country was proclaimed independence on July 9th, 2022, becoming the world’s newest nation after decades of ferocious wars fought between the north and the South of Sudan.
