Juba, Sep 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) The South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) on Monday ordered all combatants of the Agwelek militia to gather at designated assembly points for formal integration into the national army.
The directive marks a key operational step toward fulfilling the peace agreement signed between the government and the armed group in January 2022.
SSPDF spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang said the directive, effective Tuesday, applies to forces located in Juba, Greater Tonj in Warrap State, and Twic East County in Jonglei State.
All members of Agwelek forces that are currently in Juba are hereby ordered to report to the Terekeka assembly area in Terekeka County, Central Equatoria State, and reporting time commences on September 15, 2026, Koang said in a statement.
Koang said militia forces in Warrap State, as well as those stationed at Nyakeen in Jonglei State's Twic East County, have been instructed to remain on standby ahead of the arrival of the SSPDF general headquarters screening and integration committee, Xinhua News Agency reported.
"The above orders are for immediate execution and are specifically applicable to all Agwelek forces under the overall command of Johnson Olony Thabo, assistant chief of defence forces for disarmament and mobilisation," Koang said.
The Agwelek militia, formerly aligned with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-in-Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) led by First Vice President Riek Machar, actively fought against the SSPDF following the outbreak of civil conflict in December 2013.
The ongoing process marks a key milestone in dismantling non-state armed groups and consolidating national command structures following the militia's breakaway from the SPLM/A-IO and subsequent peace accord with the government.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Monday called for safe, predictable and sustained humanitarian access to conflict-affected communities in South Sudan.
In a statement issued in Juba, UNICEF said it and its partners had restored life-saving aid to conflict-isolated communities in Wiechjol and Waat in Jonglei State.
The joint operation provided critical support to vulnerable families, many of whom had been cut off from humanitarian assistance for months.
"For many families, this was the first help they had seen in months. But what we found shows how much more is needed, and how quickly conditions can deteriorate if access continues to be constrained in these areas," said Noala Skinner, UNICEF representative to South Sudan.
According to UNICEF, escalating conflict, mass displacement and unsafe travel routes have severely disrupted services across the region since January.
It said unrest had forced health facilities to close, leaving families without reliable access to healthcare, clean water, protection and nutrition support.
–IANS
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Source: IANS
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