The senior government official stressed the pivotal role of upholding peace to ensure the seamless conduct of the impending elections.
“We are going for elections, and you are to make sure that peace prevails so that elections can proceed peacefully,” stated Makuei, who also serves as the government spokesman.
South Sudan on Wednesday dispatched approximately 750 soldiers from the Necessary Unified Forces (NUF), established under the revitalized peace agreement, to Tonja in the Upper Nile state.
The deployment, initiated from the capital Juba after a ceremonial parade at Lure, aims to address the prevalent insecurity in the volatile Upper Nile region.
Tut Gatluak, chair of the National Transitional Committee and presidential security advisor, highlighted that objective.
The deployed forces were selected from troops trained in Owiny Ki Bol in Eastern Equatoria and Panyier in Jonglei state.
The deployment witnessed the presence of high-ranking government officials, including General Santino Deng Wol, Chief of Defense Forces of the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF), Deputy Chief of Defense Forces General Gabriel Duop Lam, interior minister Angelina Teny, and information minister Michael Makuei.
Tonja has witnessed clashes between various factions in recent months, including the Agwelek faction led by General Johnson Olony and the SPLA-IO Kitgwang faction led by General Simon Gatwech Dual.