A cantonment site for an armed group known as the South Sudan National Liberation Movement has been identified in Gangura Payam in Yambio, local authorities in Gbudwe State have said.

Gangura is one of the areas that have been affected by insecurity in the state. A speaker of the state parliament was killed by armed men last year on his way from the Payam to Yambio town.

The Minister of Information, Natale Sabuni, said they received members of the Joint Military Technical Committee last week.

They were in the state to assess the suitability of Birisi as a cantonment site.

Mr Sabuni said the committee approved the locality for cantonment and training of forces.

“They went to the site and the place is specifically called Birisi. They came back and told us this place will be very suitable for cantonment and training.

As we speak, we’re more than ready to start the training in Birisi, Gangura Payam in Yambio County,” he said.

Mr Natale said the World Food Program has supplied enough food to the government to feed soldiers who will be at the cantonment site.

The statement comes days after the Council of Ministers approved the establishment of cantonment sites for the SPLM in Opposition in Equatoria and Bhar al-Ghazal regions.