SSPDF orders Lou-Nuer armed groups to assembly areas within 72-hours

JUBA — The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) on Thursday ordered all Lou-Nuer armed groups and forces awaiting integration into the national army and other organized forces to report to designated assembly areas within 72 hours.

In an order issued by SSPDF Chief of Defence Forces, General Santino Deng Wol, the forces have been directed to assemble at Waat and Langkeen ahead of the arrival of the integration committee.

“SSPDF Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Santino Deng Wol, hereby orders all the Lou-Nuer groups to immediately report to the following designated assembly areas,” said the order read by SSPDF spokesman, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, on Thursday.

Gen. Lul said the Waat and Longkeen have been designated as the assembly area for forces that have been waiting to be integrated into the SSPDF and other organized forces.

“Area number one, Waat Assembly Area: All the forces that have been waiting for integration into SSPDF and other organized forces are hereby ordered to report to Waat within the next 72 hours,” he said.

“Assembly area number two, Langkeen. All the forces that are currently in Langkeen and those who are deployed in the surrounding areas are equally ordered to report to Lankan within 72 hours.”

Gen. Lul said the orders should be implemented ahead of the arrival of the integration committee, which is expected to oversee the integration process.

The directive comes as South Sudan continues efforts to implement security arrangements under the revitalized peace agreement, including the unification and integration of forces from different parties into the national security institutions.