SSPDF completes relocation of Gen. Nando’s forces from Tambura – spokesman

JUBA – South Sudan army has announced that it has completed relocation, from Tambura town, of forces belonging to former opposition commander Gen. James Nando who defected from the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny last year.

This comes two months after President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his first deputy Dr. Riek Machar Teny met at the presidential palace J1 in late August to direct the relocation of rival forces from Tambura two of Western Equatoria state following several weeks of deadly violence involving Nando’s forces.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post this evening, army spokesman Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) has completed the withdrawal of General James Nando’s forces from Tambura town and has relocated them to Maridi County where they will undergo training before integration into the army.

“SSPDF GHQs would like to announce to the public successful relocation of Gen. James Nando’s Forces from Tombura County to Maridi Unified Training Centre where they will go for thorough training and integration into the National Army,” General Lul Ruai said in the statement.

The senior army officer further said the former opposition commander who has been blamed for violation of ceasefire agreement in the restive Western Equatoria state has eventually returned to the army headquarters in Bilpam and that the army’s sixth infantry division was no responsible for maintaining peace in Western Equatoria state.

“Maintenance of peace and security in Western Equatoria State falls under the Command of 6^th Infantry Division, South Sudan National Police Service and National Security Service. Gen. James Nando has returned to SSPDF GHQs-Bilpam to await further directives,” the statement further concluded.