South Sudan deploys first 750 troops from unified forces to Tonja

JUBA – South Sudan’s unity government on Wednesday deployed a battalion of the Necessary Unified Forces (NUF) comprising 750 soldiers to Upper Nile State area of Tonja to beef up security.

The forces have been dispatched by barges in Juba after completion of their deployment parade at Luri Training Center this morning.

The forces were drawn from training centers in Owinyi Ki Bul in Eastern Equatoria, Maridi in Western Equatoria and Panyier in Jonglei State. They are part of the first batch of unified forces consisting of 52,000 personnel which graduated in August last year.

They include the army, police, wildlife, prisons, intelligence and military officers charged with responsibility to provide security during the elections.

Under the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, Africa’s youngest nation is supposed to graduate a total of 83,000 unified forces including police, army and intelligent units to take charge of the country’s security.

Speaking during deployment ceremony at Luri Military Training Center, Tut Gatluak, Presidential Advisory on security and Chairperson of National Transitional Committee said the forces were deploy under directives of President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

“President of the Republic is the one who ordered for graduation of all the forces and to be deployed to various military camps and to complete phase two and this is the order from President and his five vice presidents,” said Gatluak.

“Today we are deploying the first batch battalion to Malakal and there is another battalion to be deploy to Bahr el Ghazal and at the same vehicle taking these soldiers to Bahr el Ghazal will bring new soldiers for phase two to Juba.”

For his part, Gen. Santino Deng Wol, SSPDF Chief of staff said the battalion will be commanded by Division two commander in Malakal.

“You are going to Malakal and there is Division two there, you are not going as different force, you are going as battalion of Division two and you are going to get directives from commander of Division two and the commander of Division two will get directives from SSPDF headquarters,” said Deng.

Meanwhile, Angelina Teng, Minister of Interior said the forces are mandated to protect the country and the citizens.

“Your mandate is to defend the country with its citizens and sometimes you can be called to tackle insecurity and if police need backup, you can be called to help in addressing the insecurity,” said Teny.