The information Minister of Western Bahr el Ghazal says the authorities are mobilizing young people and ex- soldiers to join the national army.

Over the past two months, the Vice President, James Wani Igga, has been touring Eastern, Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal states calling on young people to enroll into the army.

County Commissioners in Western Bahr el Ghazal have been given two weeks to mobilize 6,000 recruits for the army.

The state Minister, Alfred Derik Uya, told Eye Radio that each County is expected to recruit 1,500 young people into the national army.

“In Western Bahr el Gahzal state we will pick from counties like Raja County 1,500, Jur River County 1,500 and Wau County,” said Mr Derik. “They are going to serve in the army as a national army to defend the country.”

However, the Minister of Defense says his Ministry has not approved the recruitment of youth into the force.

Kuol Manyang Juuk told Eye Radio that only retired soldiers and officers on leave have been instructed to report back to their bases.

“The SPLA is still not doing any recruitment – I’ve no information,” said Mr Kuol.

“What is needed are soldiers on leave to report back to their units immediately, to terminate their holiday and their leave and report back to their units.’’

 Last month, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, who is also the Secretary of the Crisis Management Committee, told Eye Radio that the committee is mobilizing youth to replace those who have left their ranks within the army.