South Sudan's newly appointed First Vice President Taban Deng Gai has vowed to integrate SPLA forces into the SPLA faction led by Salva Kiir, which he emphasized is the national army of South Sudan. 

In a statement broadcast on the state-run television, Gai said there will be cantonment areas for the armed opposition forces in Equatoria set up next week. 

He called on the youth fighting under the SPLM-IO to stop the war and join the cantonment areas prior to their integration into the South Sudanese national army. His remarks came shortly before the SPLA claimed that some opposition forces in Maridi had surrendered.

Gai also claimed that the cantonment of forces at this time is intended to integrate cooperating opposition forces into the national army. He contrasted this with Riek Machar's alleged approach to the matter, saying that Machar had only wanted to use the cantonment areas to prepare for elections.

He also claimed that the integration of the forces into the SPLA is intended to defend the territories of South Sudan and the constitution. 

Radio Tamazuj was unable to contact the SPLM-IO for immediate comment. 

File photo: Taban Deng Gai in March 2016 when he was head of the SPLM-IO Advance Team in Juba

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