By Enyichukwu Enemanna
No fewer than 21,000 men and women made up of former rebel fighters were on Tuesday integrated into the unified army of the South Sudan amidst tight security.
Drawn from the main parties as well as the South Sudan Opposition Alliance, they swore an oath of loyalty and allegiance in the ceremony originally scheduled to take place in 2019 according to the peace deal.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit who praised the progress made in enhancing peace in the country said, “Out of all the chapters of the agreement, the graduation of the unified forces under chapter two has been the most challenging and yet the most important”.
“Over two hundred of your comrades have died in the eighteen training centres, some died because of disease and no medication, some died because of hunger as food was not available”, added Riek Machar, Vice President and opposition leader.
Since its independence in 2011 from Sudan, South Sudan, world’s youngest nation has been in protracted crisis, battling flooding, hunger, ethnic violence and political turmoil.
The efforts to achieve peace also attracted commendations from the UN representative in the country.
“A unified defence force is one of the most visible and meaningful expressions of national unity, especially in societies emerging from conflict. Its establishment will, on account of its inclusivity and diverse representation, symbolize the national identity of South Sudan”, affirmed Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary General & Head of UNMISS.
The ceremony came weeks after the country’s leaders appointed to run a transitional government announced that they would remain in power two years beyond an agreed deadline, a move that attracted global concern.
