The transitional government of national unity has commenced the graduation of necessary unified forces comprising the army, police, national security, and other units to formed national army for South Sudan.
The Uganda President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and the Chairman of the Sudan Transitional Sovereignty, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan attended the graduation ceremony in Juba on Tuesday.
The Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Angelina Teny says the graduation is a milestone in peace implementation.
She stated that the security mechanism will move to different training centers, graduates the forces and the next step will be their deployment.
The Vice President of Service Cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol says the forces will boast the security of the country.
Akol highlighted that the unified forces will support the new political dispensation brought by the peace, and protect the constitution and the people of South Sudan.
He told the new graduands to remain united and prioritized nationalism, not party or tribe.
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has welcomed the graduation of forces.
Rt. Gen. Charles Tai called the new army to be guided by the spirit of comradeship and keep their country in its heart.
Mr. Tai stated that Unified forces should secure peace and the people of South Sudan.
He praised the Unity government for its determination to unite the army as stated in the peace agreement.
At least 53 thousand soldiers will be graduated as the first batch of the unified forces that have been in the training camp for nearly three years.
The forces are included those from the Opposition and South Sudan People Defense Forces (SSPDF) that make unified army for the country.