Oct 22, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — South Sudanese Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs, Hon. Angelina Jany Teny, met the EU Ambassador to South Sudan, Amb. Christian Bader, yesterday to discuss the long awaited graduation of the unified forces.
“European Union Ambassador to South Sudan Christian Bader on 21 October met with the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs of the Republic of South Sudan, Angelina Teny.” read part of a statement the EU released today through its website and social media.
The European Union Ambassador clarified that the main agenda was to discuss graduation of the Unified Forces and important documents that will be submitted to parliament and other important organs in the country.
“The main topics of the exchange were the forthcoming graduation of member of the unified armed forces, the preparation of important documents on defence to be submitted to the Parliament and the necessary steps towards the transformation of the country.” the statement added.
Ambassador Bader stressed the need to build, within other armed forces, expected to enforce law and order in the country, a professionally trained and dedicated army at the service of the nation.
South Sudan has been running without a professional army, police and security forces since the war broke out in December 2013.
In December 2013, the army divided itself along tribal lines in support of President Kiir and his former deputy, Dr. Riek Machar, who is currently the First Vice President.
Within the last seven years both sides, and more groups that emerged in the conflicts, have trained hundreds of thousands of troops.
With the return of a shaky peace, the conflict has left many guns in the hands of poorly trained soldiers and others in the hands of cattle keepers.
The proliferation of weapons increased both the political conflicts and inter-communal conflicts; however, with the signing of the peace agreement in September 2018, South Sudanese parties agreed to train, unify and deploy professional army, police and security.
