Activist ‘impressed’ by graduation of forces in Eastern Equatoria

JUBA – A South Sudan activist has said that he is impressed by the graduation of another group of the unified forces provided for in the revitalized peace agreement, and called on the peace partners to dialogue on the deployment of the forces.

This morning, signatories to the revitalized peace agreement graduated at least 1540 members of the peace forces who have been under training in Eastern Equatoria State since the formation of the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) in 2020.

The forces comprise soldiers from South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny and South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA).

In a statement, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) Edmund Yakani said he is impressed by the graduation of forces and said the remaining forces in phase one should be graduated to open way for work to begin in phase two.

“CEPO is impressed that the unified forces in Torit are graduated now after several postponements. This is positive move and redeployment should be taken serious by the unified command within this month,” Yakani said in the statement extended to Sudans Post.

“The reminding graduations should be carried out within this month to open chance for the roll out of the phase two of the training and graduation of the other untrained forces of the parties,” the prominent activist further added.

Yakani further called on the peace partners to meet and discuss the deployment of the unified forces before their deployment in order to strengthen the protection of civilians across the world’s youngest country.

“CEPO calling for proper dialogue on the redeployment of the graduated forces with focus on the principle of increasing state capacities for strengthening protection of civilians, respect of human rights and application of the rule of law,” he said.

“Further the prioritizing safety and security of individual and community during the redeployment of the graduated unified forces is essential,” Yakani added.