All constitutional post holders must “surrender” all SPLA officers guarding them so that they can perform other duties, the Minister of Information has said.

Majority of senior government officials are guarded by soldiers.

Michael Makuei says the order was issued by the president and discussed during the Council of Ministers meeting on Friday.

He says the police have been mandated to guard the government officials, not the SPLA.

“Anybody with soldiers from SPLA should surrender these soldiers immediately,” Mr Makuei told the media after the meeting.

“Instead of us using the army for protection, the army should be released so that it can go and perform its functions and duties. Ministers and everybody is directed to act accordingly.”