2,146 unified forces over the weekend passed out at the Maridi Military Training Center in Western Equatoria State.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, the national defense minister, Angelina Teny, congratulated the graduates and said their role forthwith is to protect and defend the country. She donated 10 cows to the soldiers.

“You are unified forces for the Republic of South Sudan and that is why I, as your minister, say you have a new slogan in South Sudan which does not belong to any party, individual, or even tribe,” she said. “Those who have not yet been trained will have the same procedure. Senior officers will also attend leadership training.”

She told the soldiers who just graduated that they are now members of the SSPDF.

“Your new slogan is now “Victory” and there is no more “oyee” or “viva” or whatever you had before joining the unified national Forces,” Minister Teny said.

For his party, the director of the training center, Major. General Grang A Akol, said there were a lot of challenges during the training which impacted some training procedures.

“There were 2,146 who attended the training and these are the people who are going to graduate. These people did not attend 100 percent of the training there were challenges and the training was on and off,” he said.