Turkey to support vital component of South Sudan’s pact

By Deng Machol

Turkey has reached a deal with South Sudan to support the institution of the security arrangement, a key component in the implementation of the peace agreement in the African strengthen and support the country’s military sector after six years of conflict.

The Eastern European country will work towards training of the forces slated for unification as part of the peace deal.

“We have discussed the possibility of support for South Sudan which is in the process of implementing chapter 2 of the peace agreement, unification of forces, and support for the transformation of our forces,” Ms. Angelina Teny, Minister for Defense and Veterans Affairs said this week after returning from Turkey.

South Sudan is enacting a peace agreement signed in 2018, aimed at its pacification after six years of crisis.

Chapter 2 of the peace accord stipulates for the training and unification of 83,000 forces into one unified professional army.

But the parties are yet to complete the training and graduation of the forces due to lack of funds.

“One of the reasons why we visited Turkey was basically to make all our contact and dealing in defence sector official in a transparent manner and in compliance with International Humanitarian laws,” Teny told reporters in Juba.

Minister Teny revealed that discussions also dwelt on UN arms embargo imposed on South Sudan since the conflict erupted in December 2013.

“We had a very fruitful discussion that would ensure a good future for South Sudan and that would help us transit to proper democracy,” she said.