(JUBA) – Parliament Summons Defence Minister Chol Thon Balok Over Soldier and Veteran Welfare Concerns
South Sudan’s National Parliament has summoned Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister Chol Thon Balok to explain the worsening living conditions of serving soldiers and former liberation fighters. Lawmakers say the country’s security personnel and war veterans continue to live in hardship despite repeated government promises of improved welfare.
The minister has been ordered to appear during ordinary sitting number 16 of the 2025 parliamentary session. According to an official letter released to the media, Minister Chol Thon Balok is required to present a full report detailing the situation of war victims and former combatants in the post independence period.
Members of parliament are also expected to raise questions on support programmes for military families, disabled ex-fighters and those injured during the war. Over the past months, soldiers have complained of delayed salary payments, lack of medical assistance and poor housing conditions. Many veterans say they have been left without pensions or reliable income support.
The motion was registered as an urgent matter of public concern, with lawmakers warning that demoralised security forces could affect national stability.
Average earnings remain extremely low. To put the situation into perspective, a soldier would need to earn at least 710,000 South Sudanese Pounds to equal just 100 US Dollars at the real market exchange rate of 7,100 Pounds to the Dollar in September 2025. Most soldiers receive far below this amount, making it difficult to support a family when basic food supplies and rent in towns can easily exceed that threshold in a single month.
Parliament is likely to demand a clear roadmap from Minister Chol Thon Balok on how the defence ministry plans to address the welfare crisis affecting both active duty personnel and veterans who fought for independence.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Parliamentary Action | Summons issued to Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister |
| Minister Summoned | Chol Thon Balok |
| Reason for Summons | Poor living conditions of soldiers and war veterans |
| Parliamentary Session | Ordinary Sitting No. 16 of 2025 |
| Key Concerns | Delayed salaries, lack of housing, weak medical support, no pensions |
| Affected Groups | Serving SSPDF soldiers, disabled ex-fighters, war victims, veterans |
| Soldier Average Pay | 71,000 SSP per month (≈ 10 USD at 7,100 SSP per Dollar) |
| Parliamentary Objective | To demand clear welfare plan from the Defence Ministry |
| Risk Highlighted | Low morale among security forces affecting national stability |
UPDATE on this story:
Speaker Nunu Kumba Promises Rescheduling of Defence Briefing
South Sudan’s National Legislative Assembly has postponed an expected briefing on the welfare of war veterans after Defense and Veterans Affairs Minister Chol Thon Balok failed to attend Tuesday’s parliamentary session.
The Minister had been scheduled to present a detailed report on the living conditions of former combatants who fought during the liberation struggle, as well as the current welfare of serving personnel in the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba informed lawmakers that the Minister was outside the country and therefore unable to attend. She said the report was listed as the first item on the official agenda for the day.
She told members that the issue would not be dropped but simply deferred until the Minister is available to appear before the House.
The delayed briefing comes amid growing concern about the economic difficulties faced by former fighters and serving soldiers, many of whom have complained of unpaid salaries, inadequate medical support and limited access to social services.
No new date has been set for the Minister’s appearance, but Speaker Kumba said the motion on veterans’ welfare remains active on the order paper.