Kiir, Machar agree to relocate all gov’t, opposition forces to cantonment sites for training

JUBA – South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his first deputy Dr. Riek Machar Teny have this afternoon agreed in a meeting attended by other vice-president to relocate all government and opposition forces to cantonment sites for further training.

According to a statement by the President, the two men discussed chapter two of the revitalized peace agreement in a meeting that is conducted in a ‘collegial” manner between all the vice-presidents.

“His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit convened a Meeting of the Presidency on Tuesday, 8th of June 2021 in the Office of the President, Juba, South Sudan,” the presidency statement seen by Sudans Post reads in part.

“The meeting was conducted in a collegial manner as prescribed by the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan and attended by The First Vice President, H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny and Their Excellencies Vice Presidents Dr James Wani Igga, Hussein Abdelbaggi Akol, Taban Deng Gai and Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior,” the statement added.

The statement also said those who attended the meeting include Presidential Security Advisor on Security Affairs and the minister for presidential affairs Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin.

It said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss Chapter 2 of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan: Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements and resolved to put all government and opposition forces to cantonment area.

“After thorough deliberation on the meeting agenda, and in the interest of peace and stability in the Country, the meeting of the Presidency resolved to accelerate the process of graduating the unified forces and developing a unified command and to relocate both government and opposition forces to the cantonment sites for further training,” the statement said.

It also agreed to “capacitate the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity in order to strengthen the unity of the people of South Sudan irrespective of their political affiliation; and to extend the Police Graduation Ceremony of Batch 22 Cadet Officers in order to further prepare the necessary requirements for their graduation.”