The presidency, in a meeting convened on Tuesday, called for the immediate unification of the command of forces and directed First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi Akol to present their list of nominees for the unified command to President Salva Kiir, a press release signed by the minister of presidential affairs said.
According to the minister of presidential affairs, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, the meeting was conducted in a collegial manner as prescribed by the Revitalized Agreement and attended by President Salva Kiir, First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, and vice presidents Dr. James Wani Igga, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, Taban Deng Gai and Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior.
Also in attendance was the presidential advisor on security affairs, Tut Gatluak Manime, and presidential affairs minister Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin.
“The Presidency calls for the immediate unification of the command of the forces and has directed First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi Akol to present their list of nominees for the unified command to His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit,” The release read. “The unifies command will include the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces; the South Sudan National Police Services; the National Security Services; the National Prisons Service; the Wildlife Forces; and the Civil Defence Forces.”
The meeting also called for the immediate cessation of hostilities between the belligerent SPLA-IO forces in Magenis.
“The Presidency strongly directs for the immediate cessation of hostilities between the SPLM/A-IO forces under the command of Dr. Riek Machar Teny and the breakaway SPLM/A-IO forces under the command of General Simon Gatwech Dual,” the meeting resolved. “The presidency calls for calm in Meganis and discourages any interference to the ongoing implementation of the R-ARCSS. Furthermore, the Presidency encourages the parties to the R-/ARCSS to adhere to the spirit of peace, reconciliation, and healing.”
The meeting also directed the Security Supervision Mechanism (SSM) and the Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement, Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) to visit the areas of conflict to maintain calm and prevent any further violence.
The presidency also directed the SPLM/A-IO forces under the command of Dr. Riek Machar and the breakaway forces under General Simon Gatwech to observe a reasonable distance to avoid further clashes.
Regarding training centers and cantonment sites, the press release said, “The Presidency calls on the Joint Defence Board (JDB); he Joint Transitional Security Committee (JTSC) and the joint Military Ceasefire Commission (JMCC) to visit the training centers and cantonment sites under the supervision of the National Transitional Committee (NTC).”