No date fixed for arrival of SPLM-IO forces in Juba: official

March 6, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – Units of the joint police and military forces from the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) may be transported to the South Sudanese capital, Juba, soon, but no date has been fixed for their arrival, said opposition official.

In implementation of the security arrangements provided for in the Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS) signed in August 2015 by President Salva Kiir’s government and the SPLM-IO led by the first vice president designate, Riek Machar, a joint police and military force from the two sides were supposed to be deployed prior to formation of a transitional government of national unity (TGoNU).

The joint force of over 8,000 would deploy in the national capital after Juba is demilitarized and government’s forces withdrawn to 25km outside the town.

A first phase of 1,370 elements of the joint forces from the SPLM-IO will be transported to Juba before the top leader of the opposition can return to the capital and take oath of office as first vice president.

However, the official spokesman of the SPLM-IO chairman and commander-in-chief said preparations were ongoing before the forces could arrive.

“Our forces will be transported to Juba any time soon. However, some necessary preparations have been taking place. They will be transported to Juba once the arrangements to do with their basic needs and services are completed,” James Gatdet Dak, opposition leader’s press secretary, told Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

He said among the ongoing preparations include arrangements for shelter, food, water and medical care for the incoming SPLA-IO forces to Juba.

“Only raw sites have been identified. But there is need to plan and provide shelter, food, water as well as medical care service for the forces,” he said.

He said representatives of the Joint Military Ceasefire Committee (JMCC) from all the parties in the peace agreement are scheduled to meet in Juba on Monday, 7 March, to review the status of the arrangements.

Dak said once the force arrives in Juba, the first vice president designate, Machar, will thereafter return to Juba.

The first phase of the opposition’s joint forces will be airlifted to Juba from various locations in the country while the rest of the force which also comprise part of the joint force will follow by river.

(ST)