Governor Futuyo Paid a Visit to South Sudanese Troops Set to go to Congo
Governor Futuyo Paid a Visit to South Sudanese Troops Set to go to Congo
By Joseph Ernesto.
The governor of western Equatoria state on Tuesday, January 24th, 2023 paid a visit to the 750 forces that are part of the East African Community Regional forces mandated to end the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Addressing the troops Hon. Alfred Futuyo Karaba advised the soldiers to maintain the discipline to work together for peace as South Sudan joins Kenya in sending troops to DR Congo.
This year, the heads of state of the East African Community (EAC) resolved to send a joint force to deal with multiple armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This comes after some EAC member states sent combatants to the volatile eastern DRC where the March 23 rebel group is increasing their offensive and taking new territories.
In August 2022, the South Sudan cabinet approved 6.69 million US dollars to deploy troops in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo as part of directives of the regional block to restore peace in the region.
The forces are ready at Nabiapai borders of South Sudan and DRC Congo to join their Kenya, Uganda, and Burundi counterparts already in Goma.
The special battalion of 750 soldiers is a combination of various units of SSPDF including the military police, national security, and engineering corps, among others.
Speaking to the troops, minister of Local government in western Equatoria State James Severino Morris said the mission of the troops is to restore peace in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo adding that the solider has a lot of tasks to carry as they are crossing the border.
He urged to maintain the instructions given in order to pave way for peace to prevail in DRC Congo.
President Salva Kiir assures that this year is to build the national army. We want you to raise the flag and the name of South Sudan and raise the citizens of South Sudan.”
Speaking at the same occasion, the six Commanders in Western Equatoria State Juch Nasa urged the combatants to restore peace in DRC and stick to the instruction given to them by the Country’s authority.
