South Sudan, South Africa sign military defence agreement

File photo: South Sudan army chief James Ajongo

South Sudan and South Africa have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in defence on Tuesday, a spokesman for the SPLA army said.

South Sudan and South Africa have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in defence on Tuesday, a spokesman for the SPLA army said.

SPLA’s spokesman Lul Ruai Koang told Radio Tamazuj today that the signed agreement will see armies of the two countries conduct joint military exercises, training and capacity building.

He further said the cooperation agreement will also see the exchange of knowledge and training between South Sudan and South Africa as well as capacity building.

“The South African army is professional, so the SPLA will benefit from their expertise,” he said.

Lul noted that South Sudan Minister of Defense Kuol Manyang Juuk and South Africa’s Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula signed the agreement.

South Africa is a guarantor to a cessation of hostilities agreement that has been violated several times.