At least 850 South Sudan Liberation Movement (SSLM) troops arrived for cantonment in Greater Mayom County of Unity region, a military officer said on Friday.
General Charles Machieng Kuol, deputy head of the SSLM group, told Radio Tamazuj Friday that their forces have gathered in Bong, the assembly area for SSLM forces.
"The cantonment of forces in Bong area is a pilot phase, so if successful, other areas will be identified to assemble and train the troops,” he said.
The word ‘cantonment’ describes a site where military units are usually encamped for a long period of time. South Sudan’s peace agreement requires the assembly and cantonment of forces previously in combat during the pre-transitional period.
Kuol said more of their troops were on the way to the assembly area for cantonment, as part of the security arrangements agreed upon.
He, however, cited lack of food and medicines at the assembly site as some of the key challenges facing the cantonment of the forces.
The SSLM, an armed opposition group that mainly operates in the Upper Nile region, is led by General Bapiny Monytuil.