The SPLA has called on the ceasefire and transitional security monitors to verify the number of its troops at six designated sites in Juba.

Under the peace agreement, only 3,420 government troops should remain in Juba during the transitional period while the rest have to be deployed 25 kilometers outside Juba.

Under the deal, the SPLM in Opposition will also have 1,410 soldiers. Over the weekend, the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission and UNMISS completed the transport of 1,370 opposition soldiers to Juba.

The SPLA Deputy Chief of General Staff for Operations, Mangar Buong Alueng’e, has written to the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring Mechanism, inviting them to the designated sites.

In the letter on Monday, General Mangar said there are 650 presidential guards at the Tiger headquarters, 250 band and commercial guards in Newsite and 700 members of the Administrative Battalion in Bilpam.

He also said another 700 soldiers of the logistical battalion are in Newsite, 1,000 guards for Shared Unified Command and Military Police at Bilpham and the Ground Force Headquarters.

And in Gudele-2, there are 120 officers of the National Security Service.

General Managar said the verification is expected to take place on the 19th of April 2016, just a day after the scheduled return of Dr Riek Machar.

The letter does not include the number of soldiers the SPLA has redeployed so far to designated sites that are 25 kilometers outside Juba.