Alex Bullen
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Over 200 forces died during training, the government has disclosed.
According to First Vice President Riek Machar, the deceased officers died of hunger and other illness related causes.
The deaths were reported in all the 18 cantonment sites across the country.
“Over 200 of your comrades have died in 18 training centres; some died because of disease because of the lack of medication, some died because of hunger, ” said Machar.
The first batch of the officers who graduated on August 30 and will be absorbed in various security ranks.
“I am also aware that many of you have not seen your families for all these years you have spent in training centres. You have undergone a serious test of political will; you have shown your will for peace and commitment to ensure the stability in this country,” said Machar.
I hope that the challenges that you went through have prepared you for the job that awaits you after you have graduated,” added Machar.
The new forces will be under President Salva Kiir as the Commander of Chief.
The more than 21, 973 forces will be deployed to South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), National Police Services, National Security Services, National Prion Services, National Civil Defense Services, and National Wildlife and Conservation Services.
Out of this, 3,308 will be attached to the VIP protection unit, 4,366 law enforcement personnel, 6,315 to national security, 1,120 to prison, 3,575 to wildlife services and 3,289 to civil defence.
The 2018 renewed peace agreement mandates that South Sudan train and graduate an 83,000-strong unified force to take over security during the transitional period up until elections are held in 2023.
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