The United States ambassador to South Sudan welcomed Tuesday's graduation of the National Unified Forces and said the army has to be loyal to South Sudan and its people.

Ambassador Michael J. Adler said that the Troika welcomed this initial step in the graduation of forces referring to it as an absolutely critical step.

“Unified forces, loyal to the whole nation of South Sudan and the entirety of its people, answering to a unified operational leadership and answering to a unified political leadership, are key to reducing violence and conflict and to providing peace and security,” he said.  “With security and stability, South Sudan will be able to unlock its potential and advance the road to development.”

“It is critical that that ordinary South Sudanese can have trust in their security forces, trust that security forces are well trained, professional, and held accountable for their actions,” he added.

Ambassador Adler said that South Sudanese also have to trust that their security forces are there to guarantee and protect their freedoms and not threaten them and trust that the security forces are there to protect the constitution and independence of South Sudan and uphold the rule of law.

“South Sudanese have to trust that security forces are well trained, professional, and held accountable for their actions, trust that the security forces protect the rights of all South Sudanese no matter where in the country they come from, no matter their religious or political beliefs, and no matter whom they call kin,” he said.  “Trust that security forces are committed to bringing an immediate end to sexual and gender-based violence, including actions committed by those within their ranks.”

The U.S envoy said that these aspirations are true for members of the SSPDF guaranteeing South Sudan’s security from external threats, for the national police protecting the citizenry from criminality, or for those in the prison service overseeing the implementation of justice. 

“The security forces are a cornerstone of state and human security, but their legitimacy and effectiveness depend upon fulfilling their mission accountably within a framework of civilian control and respect for the rule of law and human rights,” he said. “And this requires legislation. We look forward to seeing ongoing progress including; graduating all forces across the country, laying out the details of how the graduated forces are inclusively structured, commanded, and deployed.”

The envoy said it is also important to remember the other steps in R-ARCSS, which also need similar progress and require similar commitment so that the people of South Sudan have the future they deserve of peace, democracy, human rights, justice, and prosperity.

“Action must be taken to end violence and impunity so that all South Sudanese can live in security throughout the country. We are speaking here of the future that the South Sudanese people deserve and hoped for at the time of their independence.  It is long overdue,” he said. “We look to South Sudan’s leaders to capitalize on this renewed momentum to progress these steps.”

“We hope the early steps that have begun to be taken today will unlock further progress in the implementation of the peace agreement,” he concluded.