Lomuro: Report on Unified Forces Ready for Finance Ministry

(JUBA) – South Sudan’s Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior have presented a report detailing the status of forces still in training centres and their requirements for deployment, according to the secretary general of the reconstituted high level standing committee on the peace agreement.

Dr Martin Elia Lomuro said the meeting, held in Juba on Thursday, assessed the activities completed during the first phase of the necessary unified forces training.

It also reviewed the number of troops still in cantonment sites, with the goal of resolving pending issues before the start of the second phase in September.

“We are going to compile that report and submit it to the Ministry of Finance to provide the logistics necessary to move those forces and prepare for phase two, which we intend to complete by December,” Dr Lomuro stated.

The report is expected to outline the resources needed for deployment, including transport, equipment and basic operational support. Officials say securing these provisions is essential to maintain the momentum of the security arrangements outlined in the peace agreement.

Dr Lomuro emphasised that the completion of the unified forces training is key to building a single national security sector under one commander in chief.

He added that this would also support preparations for national elections, including civic and voter education, progress on a permanent constitution and public awareness campaigns led by the National Elections Commission.