By Julius N. Uma

January 27, 2011 (JUBA) — South Sudan president, Salva Kiir Mayardit strongly warned members of the armed forces against celebratory gun-fire on the day of the announcement of the final referendum results, due on 14 February.

South Sudan president Salva Kiir Mayardit (Reuters)

Kiir, also Sudan’s first vice-president, urged these forces to protect peoples’ lives and properties, just like they did during the one-week long referendum polling period, widely regarded as peaceful.

"Your excitement should not cause misery to yourselves and others. I want to repeat again that there should be no celebratory gun-fire," Kiir said in a statement.

Already, Sudan Tribune has learned, the president has instructed Nhial Deng Nhial, the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army (SPLA) and Veteran Affairs minister and his Internal Affairs counterpart, Gier Chuang Aluong to institute measures that will combat random shootings.

The same directive, sources say, was also contained in the 14-page inaugural address Kiir delivered during Monday’s official opening of the second session of Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA).

Kiir’s strongly-worded statement a day after the southern army officially launched its air forces in the regional state capital, Juba on 26 January.

While officiating at the event, President Kiir, who is also the SPLA’s commander-in-chief, reaffirmed his government’s commitment to protect the region as it prepares to become independent.

The SPLA reportedly purchased its first batch of 10 Mi-17 helicopters from Kazan, a Russian supplier, and ordered unarmed aircraft for transport purposes.

The erstwhile guerrilla army fought nearly two decades of civil war with the north before the 2005 peace deal that ended the war and allowed the south to vote in a referendum this month, on secession from the north.

The establishment of South Sudan air forces was legislated in a defence bill passed by the region’s legislative assembly in June 2008. The bill stated that the SPLA should consist of ground and aerial units.

The oil-producing yet underdeveloped region allocates 40% of its budget to the military.

(ST)