The issue of unified forces has grown as a big challenge in a way that it virtually stopped every step of the implementation of peace in the country.
Yet the joint subcommittees sent by the Joint Defense Body (JDB) to screen the forces in the training centers for their unification into a single army formation have finished the screening.
The joint screening committees which were dispatched to screen the unified forces in the Greater Upper Nile, Greater Bar-al-Ghazel and in the Greater Equatoria regions since 2022 order to unify them have not yet released any report on their findings and recommendation.
In the year 2022, There was a joint committee formed to screen the unified and they were to compile their reports, harmonize it and forward to the National Transitional Committee (NTC) after which the NTC would send to the principals for consideration but since then nothing happened until NTC died and principals remain in detention.
The unification of command for unified force, is that the principals are supposed to agree on how they put them under one command and unfortunately leaders always take the issue of the sanction as main point as not to unify the forces yet there are a lot of guns in the hands of civilians, without being disarmed.
Now with this economic hardship, how will the forces be in the barracks survive and work effectively, yet the country needs peace?
Unless our leaders are not ready for implementation of the 2018 peace deal, yet, this is the only hope of the country not to go back to war. The gov’t would then use the progress of implementation of the peace agreement as a lobby tool to advocate for lifting of the sanctions and arms embargo.
However, I don’t understand the work of Reconstituted Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), IGAD in the country, though, one of the mandates is to oversee all aspects of the implementation of the agreement, crisis is everywhere and the (RJMEC) does not condemn the act which violates the Transitional government of the national unity of 2018 Agreement.
I urge leaders to come up with solutions on how to stabilize security, settle economic hardship and make preparations for December 2026 elections.
God Protect South Sudan.
Be the spectator!