Training of forces in phase two to start in two weeks, says Kiir and Machar

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his first deputy Riek Machar Teny have agreed to initiate the training of unified forces in phase two of the security arrangements outlined in the revitalized peace agreement, the presidency announced on Tuesday.

The two leaders inked a revised version of a 2015 peace accord in September 2018, bringing an end to five years of brutal conflict characterized by ethnic divisions.

As stipulated in the agreement, provisions were made for the integration of the rival armed factions into unified forces, slated to form the foundation of South Sudan’s professional national army.

However, the process of reunification remains incomplete.

While approximately 53,000 unified forces from phase one of the agreement completed their training in 2022, only 4,000 have been deployed thus far, albeit without firearms.

President Kiir has attributed the delay in arming the forces to constraints imposed by an existing arms embargo.

However, the international community, including South Sudan’s principal Western ally, the United States, contends that the nation possesses a surplus of firearms, sufficient to equip the peace forces.

Following a meeting at the presidential palace, Kiir and Machar concurred to commence the training process for phase two forces within the next two weeks.

“The two parties agreed that the second training of the Unified Forces will start in the next two weeks,” read a statement issued by the presidency following the Kiir-Machar deliberations.

Tut Gatluak, the presidential security advisor, who was present at the meeting, affirmed that “both parties are committed to implement[ing] the key provisions of the peace agreement, in order to achieve a sustainable peace and stability in the country.”