South Sudan’s army has ordered officers and soldiers from several former rebel groups to report to a training centre west of the capital, Juba, within 72 hours for screening and integration, a military spokesperson said on Thursday.
South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) spokesman Major General Lul Ruai Koang told reporters in Juba that the order applies to troops who recently rejoined the government after defecting from the opposition. He said they are to report to the Digala Training Centre, located west of Juba in Central Equatoria State, for organization into official army formations.
“The directive aims to screen and integrate the personnel into the SSPDF,” Lul said, adding that food and logistical supplies had already been dispatched to the site.
The order targets forces under Major General Venancio Wani Igga, Brigadier General Gabriel Bol Anuer—commander of the 2nd April Lologo Declaration—as well as units led by Major General John Safadano and Brigadier General Kompeo Andrea Matia. Other senior officers, from the rank of Brigadier General downward, were also instructed to report with their men.
Background
South Sudan has struggled to implement the 2018 peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and then-rebel leader Riek Machar. A key part of the deal was the creation of a unified national army from rival forces, but progress has been slow due to funding shortages, mistrust, and logistical challenges.
Only a portion of the planned 83,000 unified troops have been trained and deployed, raising concerns about stability as the country prepares for long-delayed elections.