January 19th 2020 (Nyamilepedia) – A senior South Sudan opposition official has raised fear over government reluctance to send troops to joint training centres saying it may affect the reunification of forces.
The government of President Salva Kiir and opposition groups including the SPLM-IO signed a revitalized peace agreement in 2018.
The agreement called for the reunification of South Sudan’s rival forces to form a professional national army.
The process is however slow as international community accuses party of lack of political will to do the pre-transitional tasks which can allow for the formation of a unity government that will govern for a 36-month period.
Last week, the SPLM-IO said government forces were not reporting to training sites raising their fears of the motive behind.
Speaking to Nyamilepedia this morning, Nathaniel Pierino, the SPLM-IO governor of Imatong state said the reluctant by the government to send troops to training sites where they are supposed to join their opposition colleagues may affect the whole process.
“The ongoing transportation of personnel to the training centers is a positive sign but this effort will be watered down if the government forces doesn’t turn up to the training centers as per the agreement,” he told the Nyamilepedia.
“We understand the government National security services personnel and Tiger forces are not reporting to the training centers,” he added.
