Kiir asks Sudan to train South Sudan security forces

JUBA – President Salva Kiir Mayardit has asked the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) to train the second batch of the unified security forces when the government graduate the the first batch at the end of  this month, the president’s security advisor Tut Gatluak says.

Gatluak reiterated in statements to the media on Thursday that the government is making preparation to graduate the first batch of over 50 government and opposition forces who have been in training and cantonment site since 2019.

“Preparations to pass the first batch of the forces in the cantonment sites have reached advanced stage. We are finalizing in preparation for graduation later this month,” Gatluak who is also the chair of South Sudan’s National Transitional Committee said Thursday.

“God willing, the first batch will be graduated on the 30th of this month. The leaders have agreed and they have set the date. Uniform and the food have delivered. The food items for greater Equatoria have been delivered. The one for Bahr el Ghazal is on the way and will come in the coming days,” he added.

The senior government official further revealed that “Some places in Bahr el Ghazal have already received uniforms and food.”

Gatluak further said the president has asked the Sudanese army to help in the training of the forces and that the Sudanese army has already pledged to do so and preparation have started as the training of the second batch will commence after the graduation of the first batch which the government said would be on August 30, 2022.

“Our brothers in Sudan will help with the training of our security forces so that we fast track transformation of these forces into professional service men and women. They will good training, good one,” he said.