Military commanders from the peace parties attend a general briefing by the Chief of Defense Forces on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. | Photo: Alhadi Hawari

The army headquarters in Bilpam has distributed 350 positions between the SSPDF, SPLA-IO, and SSOA in the middle command – based on the power-sharing ratio in the 2018 peace agreement.

This was in a general briefing by the Chief of Defense Forces General Santino Deng Wol at the army headquarters in Juba on Tuesday.

According to the allocation, SSPDF will take 210 positions, SPLA-IO under Dr. Riek Machar will take 105 positions, and SSOA will have 35 positions.

This is in line with the respective distribution of 60 percent for the SSPDF, 30 percent for the SPLA-IO, and 10 percent for the SSOA coalition.

The positions allocated include different directorates and administrations within the national Army headquarters and the Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs.

SSPDF Spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai told Eye Radio that the Chief of Defense Forces has directed the distribution of military positions.

“On the directives of the Chief of Defense Forces in relation to the allocation of positions within the SSPDF based on the agreed percentages, it is sixty percent to SSPDF and thirty percent to SPLA IO and ten percent for SSOA as indicated in the matrix,” Lul said.

He explained that in the office of the SSPDF Inspector General, there were a total of 13 positions of which, 8 went to the SSPDF, 4 to SPLA IO, and 1 to SSOA.

He also said from the time of the meeting, the army command will absorb about 69 Bridger Generals from SPLA IO and 22 from SSOA.

Bilpam will also be absorbing 6 colonels from SPLA-IO and one from SSOA.

“When you put all the numbers together, will be observing a total of one hundred and thirty-nine plus our share which is two hundred and eleven. That will be three hundred and fifty and that’s at the level of second level of command.”

The allocation of administrative positions in the army is the latest tangible breakthrough in the deployment of forces as provided for in the Security Arrangement.

Chapter Two of the peace agreement has been sluggishly implemented since the formation of the unity government three years ago.

Note: A detailed version of the military posts allocation will be published afterward.