South Sudan’s army has ordered all Agwelek forces in the capital, Juba, to report to Terekeka County for assembly and screening from Tuesday, 15 September.
The order was announced by Major General Lul Ruai Koang, the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) director for media and press and army spokesman.
Agwelek forces deployed in Greater Tonj, Warrap State, have also been ordered to remain on standby and await the arrival of the Screening and Integration Committee from the SSPDF General Headquarters in Juba.
Agwelek forces deployed in Nyakeen, Twi East County, Jonglei State, have similarly been ordered to remain on standby pending further instructions.
Agwelek is an armed group mainly based in Upper Nile State and commanded by Lieutenant General Johnson Olony Thabo, who also serves as the SSPDF Assistant Chief of Defence Forces for Disarmament and Mobilisation.
General Olony came under scrutiny earlier this year after he ordered his forces to spare no one, including elderly people, during fighting in Jonglei. The reported remarks prompted concerns over the treatment of civilians.
Agwelek forces under his command also took part in government military operations against opposition forces in northern Jonglei earlier this year.
The Agwelek forces signed a peace agreement with the South Sudan government in Khartoum in 2022. Under the agreement, the parties committed to a permanent ceasefire and the integration of Agwelek forces into the SSPDF, among other provisions.
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