FVP, Dr Riek Machar addressing a workshop for the state's ministers of parliamentary affairs in Juba on Tuesday - Photo: Lou Nelson/Eye Radio | Nov. 16, 2021

The SPLM in Opposition has rejected the presidential order on the unification of command structure of the regular forces.

On Friday, President Salva Kiir issued a decree for the unification of command structure of the national army and the South Sudan National Police Service.

In a statement read out on the national broadcaster SSBC, President Kiir relinquished 3 top security positions to the military wing of the SPLM-IO including the positions of Inspector General of SSPDF and the Assistant Chief of Defense Forces for moral orientation to the SPLA-IO.

Kiir also allocated two other top positions to the South Sudan Opposition Alliance.

He further directed the army and police command to implement the order with immediate effect.

In response, the main opposition group on Saturday claimed the presidential decree was unilateral and a violation of revitalized peace agreement on power sharing.

The press release which bears the signature of Dr. Riek Machar says the parties have not yet reached an agreement in the ongoing dialogue on unification of command.

The unification of command of the armed forces was made as per the provisions of the revitalized peace agreement.