Integration of thousands of former rebel fighters into South Sudan’s regular military forces in the area of Yambio has stalled over logistical issues, a state government official said.

About 4,000 former members of the South Sudan National Liberation Movement (SSNLM), the former Arrow Boys or South Sudan People’s Patriotic Front (SSPPF), and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army – In Opposition, surrendered more than a year ago following the government’s promise to reintegrate them into the ranks of regular forces.

Gbudue’s Minister of Education said the integration process has stalled since last year, leaving the former fighters stranded in an area outside the town of Yambio without pay or access to an adequate supply of food.

 “The government is struggling. We do not have money to feed them,” says the local minister of education, Pia Philip Michael.

“There are some fighters who do not want to go back into the military. They want to be integrated into civilian life. We need to support them, to give them counselling and training so they can become part of society again,” he added.

However, Governor Daniel Badagbu said that fresh moves are underway to revive the stalled process in a bid to transform the troubled town of Yambio from a culture of war to one of peace.

He said that a deal had been reached with the government to expedite the reintegration process with team of representatives from the army, national security, and interior ministry in Yambio this week.

The top state official said there was a need for more vocational training in areas such as carpentry and farming to help the former soldiers take control of their lives and provide for their families.

“The focus needs to be on economic development and stabilisation projects.  People need jobs and businesses so that war is not an option,” said Daniel Badagbu.

On a visit to Yambio on Wednesday, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Moustapha Soumare, said that the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) was committed to working in partnership with local authorities and development partners to provide the opportunities needed to build durable peace and encourage economic growth.