Preparations are underway to start the training of the VIP protection unit that will be in charge of protection for top political leaders in the country, the military said.
In June, the parties to the peace deal agreed to form a 3,000-strong VIP protection unit. The protection forces are to be drawn from the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In-Opposition (SPLA-IO) and soldiers from the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA).
Lul Ruai Koang, South Sudan’s military spokesman, told Radio Tamazuj this morning that preparations are underway to start the training of the VIP protection force in Gorom, located 25 kilometers away from Juba town along Yei road.
“Vehicles are ready to transport the VIP protection force to the training centre, so I am sure the training will start in Gorom area within the coming few days,” he explained.
The training of the VIP protection unit is expected to kick off soon, said Lam Paul Gabriel, a deputy spokesman for the opposition SPLA-IO.
“The training is expected to start next week in Gorom for a period of one month. Transportation of food supplies to Gorom is underway before the training starts,” he added.
“Our forces in Wunliet are ready to go to Gorom, so we are just waiting for the Joint Military Ceasefire Commission (JMCC) in Central Equatoria to transport those forces,” he added.
The preparations came one month after the national government allocated $16.5 million for the security mechanisms to speed up the creation of unified forces, a key requirement of the 2018 peace accord.
President Kiir and opposition leaders missed the November 12 deadline to form a unity government and agreed to give themselves another 100 days to address the outstanding issues and then form the government in February.
Under the terms of the peace deal, the rival parties are to create a unified army and agree on the number and boundaries of states.