A first group of 39 SPLM-IO soldiers arrived in Juba today as part of implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. The soldiers form part of a minimum of 1,370 SPLM-IO soldiers set to arrive in Juba ahead of the arrival of former rebel leader Riek Machar.

Speaking to press at the airport today, Minister of Information Michael Makuei Lueth said, “We are happy to receive today in Juba the first batch of the SPLM-IO forces. These forces comprise of 39 officers, NCOs and men. This is the first group that has arrived and the rest will continue to arrive with time. We are happy to receive them today. They are most welcome in Juba...”

He added, “I hope that the transporters, our friends and partners, who accepted and who offered to transport them to Juba, will continue to transport them, up to probably te end of this week.”

“And by the end of this week I hope that the required number that is supposed to report to Juba will be here. And thereafter we will expect the arrival of Dr. Riek Machar, the First Vice President Designate of the Republic of South Sudan. We expect him to be arriving bynext week so that we thereafter establish the Transitional Government of National Unity.”