South Sudan’s protection force for members of the presidency has been formed partially, the spokesperson for the army said.
“We would like to inform the international community that as far as the implementation of the transitional security arrangement is concerned, SSPDF has complied in terms of selecting the proposed presidential guards, comprising of 700 strong men and the other 3,000 guards will report to the pilot area in Panyume,” Major General Lul Ruai Koang told reporters in Juba on Friday.
The military also took journalists to Rejaf West, an area on the outskirts of Juba on Friday, to confirm the presence of its 350 presidential guards.
Koang said the military has already prepositioned its training requirements like food, medicine and other forms of logistical support.
He, however, accused the armed opposition forces (SPLA-IO) of delaying the creation of the agreed 700-strong VIP protection unit.
“The delay in regard to the formation of presidential protection force is not on our side, but partly attributed to our partners. Our forces have been waiting for forces from the opposition for a month. After that, all forces will report to designated areas,” said Koang.
Last month, South Sudan’s peace partners agreed to form a 700-strong VIP protection unit that would be tasked handle the security of top government officials during the transitional period.
According to the agreement, the force would comprise of 350 soldiers from the current government, 350 from SPLA-IO and SSOA.
The new transitional government is expected to be formed in May 2019. However, the implementation of the September 2018 peace agreement is facing multiple delays.