SPLA-IO spokesman Col. Lam Paul Gabriel speaking to the press in Juba. |File Photo.

The armed wing of the main opposition group SPLM-IO has voiced grievances about the recent allocation of administrative positions in the ongoing unification of the second command of the regular forces.

This week, the chairperson of National Transitional Committee Tut Gatluak Manime, directed the Joint Defense Board to complete the allocation of the directorates within the existing structures of the SSPDF, Police, NSS among others.

The army headquarters then announced the allocation of vacancies for 139 generals from armed opposition groups and peace partners, in accordance with the security arrangement.

SSPDF Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said the army will absorb into its ranks and files a total of 106 unspecified Major General and Brigadier Generals from SPLM/A-IO.

Meanwhile, the South Sudan Opposition Alliance will be allocated vacancies for 33 military generals.

But the interim SPLA-IO spokesperson, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel said the allocation of positions is selective and some positions are missing.

“The SPLA-IO would also like to inform the public that the document……showing allocation of the second Tier Echelon positions for the parties to R-ARCSS (SSPDF) missed out some directorates/units in the SSPDF known structures,” Lam said in a statement.

“The SPLA-IO hopes that the SSPDF will avail these positions for allocation in the Spirit of peace.”

He further added that the group applauds the “the good way forward shown by the NTC leadership and the High Level Team from the Presidency.

“Finally the SPLA-IO applauds the chair of JDB and the CDF of the SSPDF with all the members of the Unified Command for championing this process and making sure that it finishes as soon as possible. Peace ✌.”

According to the 2018 peace deal, the unification of the second command indicates that the agreed sharing ratio should be 60 percent for the ruling SPLM and 40 percent for opposition groups.