Absorption of 54,374 of Other Armed Groups in the Armed Forces and SPLA and Demobilization of 2132

Absorption of 54,374 of Other Armed Groups in the Armed Forces and SPLA and Demobilization of 2132
June 23, 2007 (KHARTOUM) –

The committee for settlement of the other armed groups’ file, which is affiliated to the Joint Political Commission of the Cease-Fire, has announced absorption of 54,374 men of the other armed groups in south Sudan in the Armed Forces and Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) besides demobilization of 2,132 elements of these groups.

The Co-Chairman of the Joint Political Commission for the Armed Forces, Maj. Gen. Siddiq Amer, said in a press conference Saturday in Khartoum that the Armed Forces has absorbed 680 of the officers, non-commissioned officers and men in the Armed Forces after providing them with qualification and training in the Infantry Training Institute in Jebait.

The Sudanese army also absorbed 574 of the other armed groups in the Police Forces, and demobilization of 2132 men. He said that a considerable number of the other armed groups were absorbed in the civil service without elaborating.

Meanwhile, the representative of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in the joint commission, Brig, Marshal Steven, said that the movement has absorbed 47,000 men of the other armed groups in the its army.

The two parties affirmed their commitment settle the issue of the men of the other armed groups that they have absorbed.

Maj. Gen. Amer said that the Armed Force has withdrawn till now by 85% from the border of January 1st, 1956, adding that the SPLM has withdrawn from east Sudan.

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