The Joint Military Ceasefire Commission (JMCC) today launched the registration of government troops, South Sudan’s Peoples Defense Forces (SSPDF) in Torit.

Speaking during the launch at Division 7 military barracks in Torit, JMCC Eastern Equatoria region team leader Major General John Maluit Wic said the exercise will take 10 days before training begins.

“Today we launched the filling of forms just as I started in Aswa in the previous week. Today we launched in general headquarters of Division 7 and it is witnessed by those of CTSAMVM. We gave them only 10 days to complete the registration,” he said.

Mailut added, “We want to inform our partners, SPLA-IO that cantonment does not mean the opposition alone. We have 10 barracks in the agreement.”

The JMCC team leader reiterated the government’s commitment to implement the peace agreement and called on CTSAMVM, a body mandated to monitor and verify the implementation of the peace deal to facilitate the movement of commanders to all barracks to ensure the processes are on course.

For his part, SSPDF Division 7 commander Major General Victor Odong confirmed that his forces started registration on Monday.

“I think we have received all the items which include the forms and we have begun this morning. We are beginning from the division headquarters, then to the brigades’ headquarters and then after that, we will submit all the documents as it is required,” he added.

The team leader for the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring, Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) in Torit Colonel Ibrahim Elfadil applauded SSPDF saying the registration is a positive step towards the implementation of the peace deal.

He acknowledged the challenges but said they will fully support the process.

“CTSAMM will continue its role to help our colleagues in JMCC to overcome all the challenges facing the process. The challenges are clear, transportation, rainy season, and food are challenges. But in spite of all these, the process started well,” he noted.

Last month, the parties to the peace deal resolved that at least 50% of the 83,000 necessary unified forces should be trained and deployed before the end of September.

President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar held talks in Juba last week to resolve pending issues holding up the formation of a transitional government proposed for November.