By Adia Jildo
Over 9,500 soldiers drawn from different units of the army, police wildlife, prison service and civil defense service have graduated from the Malakal town of Upper Nile State yesterday.
Speaking during the ceremony at Malakal Stadium yesterday, the Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs, Angelina Teny said that there is need to lift arms embargo against South Sudan, citing the country is following some of the international standards that were set by the US.
“Arms embargo must be lifted, but there are many things tight along with us. I want to say, the UN should see that we are not just calling for lifting of the arms embargo, we are implementing the peace agreement, we are moving forward, we are doing positively and progressing” she said.
Minister Teny said the unified forces should be able to bring unity and peace in the community.
She however underlined that the factions such as those under Gen. Johnson Olony and Kitwang of Gen. Simon Gatwech whose intention is not known by the government continue with act of shelling and fighting hence destabilizing the community.
The defense minister said as the government is entering the second phase of the agreement, there is need for the holdout groups to join as they have already signed the agreement.
Meanwhile, Tut Gatluak the Presidential Advisor on National Security Affairs said masses should be able to take the message of peace to the UNMISS camps so that the people can return to their homes as the graduation is a symbol of peace and stability.
“The graduation will be meaningful if the IDPs leave the camps and come to stay at their homes but if they are in UNMISS camp, it means there was no meaning for the graduation” he noted.
Tut Gatluak called on the unified forces to work together to ensure that the security situation stabilizes in the city.