A total of 9,499 unified forces graduated during a ceremony in the Upper Nile State capital, Malakal town, on Monday.
The South Sudan Peoples’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang told Radio Tamazuj that the graduation was a peace gesture and that the forces were happy to have graduated after three years in training centers.
“Those who graduated Monday included 4,834 soldiers, 396 fire brigade officers, 351 from the prison department, 853 from wildlife, and 3,065 police personnel. 59 officers died during training in the past years,” Gen. Lul said. “Everyone was happy in Malakal because this graduation signals a step forward in peace deal implementation.”
Gen. Lul said the unified forces were graduated without weapons because the country was still under an armed embargo and that the army’s leadership was committed to graduating the remaining forces in Unity State.
For his part, Maj. Gen. Chol Atem Jongeth, the state police commissioner, lauded the graduation saying it will help stabilize the security situation in Upper Nile.
“The graduation was good with a lot of colorful traditional dances. For us in Upper Nile state, the graduation was timely because unrest in northwestern parts of the state will be contained if they are deployed,” he said.
Malakal town resident Aben Deng said he was happy that the unified forces were graduated.
“It is a good sign that our leaders are ready for peace. We hope these forces will be nationalist to deliver security here in Malakal,” he said.
Ter Manyang, the executive director of the civil society organization Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), also applauded the graduation as a peace gesture and that it will help build public trust in the peace deal.