The government-allied opposition faction in Juba said it has started a registration exercise of its troops in Northern Liech and Southern States before integration processes begin.
SPLA-IO military spokesman Dickson Gatluak said on Tuesday that their group’s first phase exercise committee led by the deputy defense minister Gen. Thoi Chany Reat went to Bentiu on 29 July.
He claimed that over 8, 000 troops are currently stationed in Kuerguini area in the eastern part of Bentiu and that they will be ready for integration.
“After meeting the field commanders, we started the registration exercise in six locations to know the size of the SPLA-IO forces that are currently based in Tomor in Mayom, greater Rubkona, Guit Koch, Mayendit and Leer county in the Southern area of Liech State,’ he said.
“The SPLA-IO would like to acknowledge and profoundly appreciate the ambassador of Kenya to South Sudan Mr. Cleland Leshore for his visit to Malobure Cantonment site on 7 July to assess the real situation on behalf of Kenyan government which is willing to help by donating shelter tents for the SPLA-IO forces that are going to be cantoned,” he added.
Dickson urged the international community and partners to support the peace agreement. “Actually, we have some few challenges that are facing us on the way of implementation. One of it is the financial support,” he said.