JUBA, South Sudan
More than 200 soldiers died
during the training at various camps in South Sudan prior to the graduation of
the first batch of the unified forces on Tuesday, First Vice-President Riek
Machar said early this week.First Vice-President Riek Machar
Machar said the soldiers
succumbed to harsh weather conditions and other factors while speaking during
the graduation ceremony in the capital, Juba.
Majority of those who died
were from the former rebel groups – the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in
Opposition (SPLA-IO) and the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA).
“I know over 200 of your
comrades have died in the 18 training centres – some died because of diseases
as there was no medication, some died because of hunger as food was not
available.
“Today I congratulate you for
your endurance and perseverance,” Machar told the graduating forces.
He said the graduation of the
unified forces was an event people have been waiting for – as it gives hope to
millions of refugees in neighbouring countries and displaced people in the
country for them to return home.
More than 22,000 men and women
comprising the national army and the national police service graduated from the
training centres, according to a presidential decree read on the graduation
day.
They are the first national
armed forces to reflect South Sudan’s ethnic diversity. - BBC
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