Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Tuesday, 30 August, 2022, Juba, South Sudan

GRADUATION OF UNIFIED FORCES, AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE R-ARCSS 

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) welcomed the graduation of the first batch of the South Sudan Necessary Unified Force (NUF) as historic, and an important milestone as envisaged under Chapter II of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). 

Speaking at the graduation ceremony held in Juba on Tuesday 30 August, 2022, RJMEC Chairperson Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said: 

“As I have always said, the unification of forces is the backbone of the Revitalized Peace Agreement. Despite the challenges, this graduation is a testament and a clear indication of the determination by the Government of Republic of South Sudan to stay the course of peace.”

“This graduation ceremony today symbolizes national unity, the spirit of patriotism, loyalty to the constitution and to the country. The unified forces reflect the national character of the people of South Sudan.” 

While congratulating the graduating unified forces ”for their endurance, commitment and determination to serve the country as members of the security forces,” Amb. Gituai said: 

“As professional, apolitical security forces, the spirit of comradeship, discipline, espirit de corps and loyalty that you have developed during your training should serve as your guiding values as you get redeployed to your respective units.”

“Let this spirit of unification of forces be one of the building blocks in promoting national unity, reconciliation and cohesion which should be emulated across the country. The unified forces will enable the realization of a united, secure, peaceful and prosperous South Sudan,” he added. 

However, despite this achievement, Amb. Gituai noted, “we have a long way to go to attain full unification of forces, including disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ineligible candidates for the unification. We expect this momentum to be maintained and Phase II of unification to commence as quickly as possible.”

He concluded, “It is my sincere hope and expectation that this graduation will also provide a timely boost to the overall implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement going forward.” 

“Much remains to be done across all the chapters of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, especially in the Permanent Constitution-making process, legislative reforms and the necessary preparations for free, fair and credible elections at the end of the Transitional Period.”

ENDS