The civilians have added their voice to calls for the need to professionalize a national army.

Several past reports carried out by UN agencies and humanitarian groups accuse the army of misconduct.

In the reports, some soldiers are said to have looted civilian property, raped women and girls as young as 12 years.

Some top government officials, including President Salva Kiir and defense minister Kuol Manyang Juuk have publicly stated that some of those who have been committing crimes are members of the national security, police and the SPLA now called SSPDF.

Besides, the new peace accord demands the leaders to train soldiers so that they will be able to conduct themselves properly as they execute their duties.

One of the mechanisms tasked with this role is the Strategic Defense and Security Review Board.

On Tuesday, it convened a meeting in which it asked the participants what kind of army they want.

“We want to see an army which is accountable to the citizens, accountable to their actions, not an army that commits crimes and walks free,” a woman called.

“We need to have a national army that protects the people, their property and defend the country against such a threat, but not endangering the life and property of people,” said a male youth.

“What we need to see in South Sudan is a professional army that knows what to do, educated and productive, ” another man said.

“We need an army that will not loot the citizens. We need an army that will not rap the citizens,” another female appealed.

President Salva Kiir has invited the main opposition leader, Dr. Riek Machar, to return to Juba for the formation of the reconstituted transitional government of unity.

Presidential press secretary, Ateny Wek Ateny, revealed this to Eye Radio on Tuesday.

Ateny says President Kiir invited his future first vice president during the spiritual retreat at the Vatican last week.

“The President asked Dr. Riek to come to Juba on or before the 12 of May so that the revitalized transitional government of national unity is formed,” he said.

According to the peace accord, the transitional government shall be formed at the end of the 8-month pre-transitional period, on May 12.

However, Dr. Riek Machar – who remained in Rome following the ousting of Omar al-Bashir – told Reuter’s news agency that he would like the pre-transitional period be extended for 6 months, citing unimplemented security provisions.

But Ateny argued that “the opposition leaders are in Juba already, an indication to Dr. Riek that his security will taken care off while the government is formed.”