Kiir, Machar to meet in Ugandan to resolve stalemate on unified security command

JUBA – South Sudan political parties, especially President Salva Kiir and his first deputy Dr. Riek Machar Teny are expected to meet in Uganda next year to end the deadlock over the ratio of the unified command structures essential for overseeing the graduation of Necessary Unified Forces.

Kiir is the leader of the SPLM-IG and the commander in chief of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, while Machar leads the SPLM/SPLA (IO).

The parties are yet to reach a deal on the ratio of the unified command structure, making it difficult to appoint nominees for the key positions at the highest level of the defense and security services.

Speaking to reporters on Monday in Juba, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, Deputy Spokesperson for Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) said the meeting which will be presided over by Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni in Kampala next year will discuss the sharing of the ratio of the unified command structure.

“About two weeks ago, there was a conference which I am not supposed to talk about that was held in Uganda’s capital, Kampala where the principles have agreed that there is going to be a retreat which is going to be chaired by President Yoweri Museveni,” Gabriel told journalists on Monday at a joined press conference held at military headquarters, Bilpam.

Gabriel said the retreat aim at ending the long-standing statement over sharing of ratios within the military command structure.

“In that retreat, there is going to be an agreement on the ratio of the unified command structure and also the approach in Kampala and I will happen either in January or February,” Gabriel said.

The 2018 revitalized peace deal on the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan provides for the unification of the rival forces to form the first professional national army consisting of 83,000 soldiers drawn from the rival South Sudan parties and the country’s national army, SSPDF.

These troops will make up the police, army, intelligence, and prison services.

But the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity formed in February 2020 has in the past months continued to blame the unified forces graduation’s delay on financial constraints.

Until now, there is no clear date on when to graduate the unified forces as stipulated in the peace agreement.