The local government in the proposed Gbudwe state in Western Equitoria is training over 800 youth from armed groups, state officials told Radio Tamazuj.

Government and rebel groups in the region began fighting in 2014, and signed a peace agreement in March. Part of the peace deal is the youth would be trained by police, military, and security forces.

“The youth from the armed groups that signed a peace agreement with the government are currently being trained in Dirza area. We expect them to finish their training after two months and then will be deployed to the units they have chosen,” said Jackson Ezekili, state minister in Gbudwe.

The nearby Yambio area is home to multiple armed groups, including SPLA, the rebel-aligned South Sudan People's Patriotic Front under command of Alfred Futiyo, Arrow Boys community defense groups, and the South Sudan National Liberation Movement.

The minister stated that the youth are from armed groups that were that were fighting the government in Maridi, Ibba and Ezo counties.

File photo: Arrow Boys 

Over 100 'Arrow Boys' return from bush in Western Equatoria (11 May)