South Sudan armed opposition forces expected in Juba next week: official

A joint force from the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) may arrive in the South Sudanese capital, Juba, next week, a senior opposition official said.

This is part of the implementation of the security arrangements per the August 2015 peace agreement signed between President Salva Kiir's government and Riek Machar, first vice president designate and leader of the opposition faction, in ending 21 months of civil war in the country.

According to the secretary general of the SPLM-IO, Dhieu Mathok Diing Wol, the opposition forces have been assembled in three different locations in Upper Nile region and have been moving to other locations where they will be airlifted to Juba.

Wol did not specify the date of the forces arrival in Juba although he expressed optimism that troops would land at Juba airport any time next week.

"We are expecting next week to be busy one as far as the transportation of our [SPLA-IO] forces to Juba is concerned," Wol told Sudan Tribune on Monday when asked about when the troops would arrive in Juba.

Dr. Riek Machar. Photo/AFP

"At least the first batch will arrive by Tuesday if not Monday [next week]," he said.

The senior official explained troops in Upper Nile will leave Kwek area to Kaldak and then to Malakal, capital of Upper Nile state, where they would eventually be airlifted to Juba.

Another group, he added, will leave Tharjiath oilfields to Bentiu, capital of Unity state, where they would be picked up to Juba. The third group, he further explained, will leave their headquarters in Pagak across the border into Gambella in Ethiopia where they would be airlifted to Juba as well.

The issue of feeding for the troops once in Juba, he said, would be handled by the Troika member countries for at least two weeks or until the transitional government of national unity (TGoNU) is formed following the return of the first vice president to the country to assume his position and start work in a new capacity.

"Troika countries will take the responsibility for two weeks until the transitional government of national unity takes over," Wol explained.

The Troika countries (United States, United Kingdom and Norway) have representatives in the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), a body which oversees the implementation of the August 2015 peace agreement and makes arrangements for the transportation of the troops.

Although a site has been identified behind Jebel Kujur [Kerek] for accommodation of the opposition forces, their shelters, food, water and medical services have not been put in place.

The arrival of the armed opposition forces in the capital, Juba, is a requirement for the preparation of the arrival of the first vice president, Riek Machar.

(ST)