The National Transitional Committee (NTC), a body charged with overseeing the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement, on Tuesday launched the distribution of emergency food supply to forces in cantonment sites.
Addressing reporters during the launch of the distribution in Juba, Stephen Par Kuol, Minister for Peace Building, who is also the Secretary General of the NTC, said food has been procured by the transitional government and it is part of preparation for the second phase for the training of the Necessary Unified Forces.
“13 trucks with 250 metric tons, the destination are the cantonment sites for the unified forces units and the JMCC [Joint Military Ceasefire Commission] cantonment camp. This emergency food supply is funded by the Transitional Government of National Unity and the funds we have now can only afford this emergency,” Par said.
The consignment includes cooking oil, maize flour, beans, sugar and salt.
Kuol said the emergency food is part of the preparation for second phase for the training of the unified forces, adding that further procurements of the same will depend on the availability of funds.
“It depends on availability of resources to buy food and we are still raising funds. The RTGoNU [Revitalized Transitional Government] is working on the implementation of the security arrangements. That t is why you are seeing these trucks,” he said.
Par, who is a leading member of the SPLM-IO, pointed out that the first phase for the training, graduation and deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces government had been completed.
“You have seen the deployment of forces and the first phase has been ended, we are now entering into another phase,” he explained.
The peace agreement signed in September 2018 calls for the reunification of all fighters involved in the civil conflict, but the process has been marred by delays.
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