Kiir, peace minister discuss phase two of unified forces’ graduation

JUBA – President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Tuesday met the Minister of Peace Building Stephen Par Kuol to discuss the ministry’s graduate during the phase two of the graduation of the unified forces, according to a presidency statement.

Last week, President Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny who doubles as the chairman and commander in chief of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/SPLA-IO) graduated part of the supposed first batch of unified forces.

Later on, the country’s presidential advisor on security affairs Tut Gatluak Manimeh said in statements to journalists that remaining part of the peace forces in Upper Nile region would graduate next week before moving on to those in Bahr el Ghazal region.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, the presidency said Kiir met with Kuol to discuss preparation of the government regarding the graduation of the forces in the second phase of the unified forces and the discussion focused on the dissemination of peace.

“His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit met with Hon. Stephen Par Kuol, the Minister of Peace Building, on matters to do with preparation for the graduation of phase two of the Necessary Unified Forces,” the presidency said.

“Minister Stephen further said his meeting with the President is to seek guidance regarding the activities of his Ministry in the areas of Peace dissemination, leadership and executive retreats,” the presidency statement further added.