Gov’t dismisses discrepancies in the number of forces, rubbishes Trott’s claim
Government forces chanting SPLA Oyee slogan during a military parade (Photo: Supplied)
January 17th, 2020 (SSNN)—The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has denied reports, alleging a discrepancy between the number of SSPDF forces and opposition forces currently undergoing training at VIP training center in Gorom.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFA&IC) of the Republic of South Sudan would like to inform the general public, the members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Republic of South Sudan, and media outlets that the information circulated by the media outlets based on the statement made by the United Kingdom Ambassador in Juba, Ambassador Chris Trott on the situation in regards to the number of the joint forces in Gorom Training Center, in which he stated that there is disparity in the number of forces, is misleading and inaccurate,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Friday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the statement made by the British official is misleading and does not bear any concrete evidence.
“He visited Gorom Training Center yesterday, and today made a statement to the media that the Government forces are zero, but the opposition forces are present. The Government of South Sudan would like to clarify and inform the public that the number of the joint forces reported by Amb. Trott is incorrect.”
“Here is the actual numbers of the joint forces in Gorom Training Center: 1) The Government forces is 1,500 and have been in Gorom for the last 3 months. 2) The SPLM-In Opposition forces is 400 and have been in Gorom for the last 20 days.”
The government urged the UK official to give a realistic account when reporting such similar reports to the media.
“Therefore, the Governiment would like to express its disappointment and advises the Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Juba to give factual information on such visits, and especially at this crucial time, where the Government is doing all possible to maintain peace in the country.”
“The Government seizes this opportunity to reiterate its commitment to the full implementation of Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan in letter and spirit.”
In recent days, the UK Ambassador to South Sudan, Amb. Chris Trott claimed that there’s a disproportionate number of government forces in cantonment areas where VIP forces are being trained in Gorom, near Juba.
“You have the opposition forces gathering but not enough government forces,” said the UK diplomat in a statement.
Click on this link to download the official statement issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs. South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation denies disparity of VIP forces
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