NBGS: peace forces asked to return to Pantiit center for verification, deployment

A ceasefire mechanism has echoed call on members of the Necessary Unified Forces, who deserted the training center in Pantiit, Aweil West County, to return to the base for deployment.

Pantiit center initially had 3,000 trainees. However, about 300 of them deserted it over poor conditions, including lack of food and medicines, according to a report from the Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAM-VM).

“Now we have secured food for the soldiers at the training center. So, I want all of you had left to report back because our time is very limited for the deployment to take place,” said Brig.-Gen. Deng Mayar, member of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Transitional Ceasefire (RJMEC).

Last week, the Joint Defense Board issued a seven-day ultimatum to the graduates of the National Unified Forces (NUF) to report to their respective training centers for verification.

In 2022, the peace government graduated about 50,000 under the NUF – a unified national army, police, and other security forces.

Deng disclosed that the deserters are given only two weeks to report back to Pantiit to help expedite the process.

“Food items for training centers in greater Upper Nile will be delivered by boats/barges. Any member of NUF who misses the forthcoming verification, will not be deployed/redeployed and will not be allowed to join phase two,” the Joint Defense Board said in a statement last week.