Army, opposition soldiers threaten to desert training camps over lack of food

JUBA – South Sudan soldiers belong to the SSPDF and their opposition counterparts are threatening to quit the training centers over lack of basic services such as food and medicine.

Currently, hundreds of opposition and government forces are in awaiting graduation in several training centers across the country.

“If there is no food, let them tell us what is delaying our food Since JDB sent a team to Rombur they came and told us you stay in the training center and they will send us you everything-food, drug, and uniform,” one unnamed soldier told Eye Radio.

“Since then up to now, they did not come. We don’t know what happened, and what delayed our food and drugs,” the soldier whose identity has been withheld by the Juba-based radio station added.

In April, South Sudan’s minister of defense Angelina Teny promised that the forces would be graduated by the end of May.

That promise didn’t however materialized as other constraints – one of which she said was hesitation by President Salva Kiir to fund the peace deal – came up.

Because of this, soldiers are not happy and one of those who spoke to Eye Radio and who stated that he has been in the training site for two years said they have run out of food the night before.

“The message that we would like to extend to the JDB is that we have spent 14 days without food which is why we are telling you to extend this message to the JDB that our situation is worse,” he said.

“They have sent food consignment to Rejaf and Gorom why is it that they have not brought our ratio. We want you to ask those responsible, these forces are waiting for the graduation but where is their food?” he questioned.