Kiir, Machar ask joint security body to summit timetable for graduation of unified forces

JUBA — South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his first deputy Dr. Riek Machar Teny have this evening met at the presidency J1 and directed the Joint Transitional Security Committee (JTSC) to submit a timetable for the graduation of the undivided forces.

“His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic convened a meeting of the Presidency this afternoon (Wednesday, 16th February 2022), to discuss the pending Transitional Security Arrangement issues under chapter 2 of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan,” the presidency said in a statement.

“In attendance were, H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny, First Vice President of the Republic, H.E. Dr. James Wani Igga, Vice President for Economic Cluster, H.E. Hussein Abdelbaggi Akol, Vice President for Services Delivery Cluster, H.E. Taban Deng Gai, Vice President for Infrastructure Cluster, H.E. Rebecca Nyandeng De- Mabior, Vice President for Gender and Youth Cluster, and H.E. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the Deputy Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Council in his capacity as a representative of IGAD.

“During the meeting, the Presidency listened to a progress report from Joint Defence Board (JDB), on the process of screening, reorganisation and graduation of the Unified Forces.

“All though, the Joint Defence Board (JDB) reported some challenges such as flooding in most part of the Country that hindered transportation to most cantonment and training sites, they have managed to prepare the forces for the graduation.

“After the presentation, the Presidency directed the Joint Transitional Security Committee (JTSC) to come up with the graduation timeline for subsequent approval by the Presidency in the next meeting.

“The Presidency commended the Joint Defence Board for successfully completing the Unification process and preparing the forces in the training centres ready for the graduation.

“H.E. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the Deputy Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Council also commended the Government of South Sudan for the tremendous progress made in the implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement, emphasising that most of the tasks have been implemented, and urged the leadership of South Sudan Government to have sovereign authority and decide how their National Army should look like, and not to allow too much foreign interference in their internal matters.”