South Sudan to pass out first batch of unified forces in August

South Sudan’s transitional unity government on Wednesday revealed plans to graduate the first batch of
unified forces on August 30 th this year.
Elia Lomuro, the minister of cabinet affairs confirmed that 52,002 forces drawn from the army, police,
wildlife, prison, civil defense and national security are soon to be passed out.
“We are comfortable that outstanding issues will be resolved within the seven days and in the end, we
will solve any problem that requires solutions before the graduation of forces,” Lomuro told journalists
after meeting President Salva Kiir in Juba on Wednesday.
The minister revealed that President Kiir has ordered all different army units to immediately commence
meetings and look at the details and requirements and forward them to the committee to make sure
that everything is resolved ahead of the graduation day.
“In about 20 days, you will have the forces graduated as per the roadmap,” he said.
The South Sudan parties on Aug.4 th agreed to extend the transitional period that was to end by February
2023 till February 2025 to allow them complete the pending tasks such as graduation of the 83,000
unified forces.
In addition, the parties are also yet to enact the permanent constitution, establish justice, accountability
and healing and reconciliation mechanisms under chapter five of the 2018 revitalized peace deal.
Lomuro disclosed that most of these unified forces are from training and cantonment centers in Greater
Equatoria region, Greater Upper Nile and Greater Bahr el Ghazal Bahr El Ghazal respectively.
The unified forces meant to take charge of security during the transitional period have been stuck for
more than three years in training and cantonment sites.
The government has been citing lack of funds and the existing United Nations arms embargo for
delaying their graduation.