U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan, Michael J. Adler. (Photo: Courtesy).

Individuals obstructing the deployment of the unified forces are harming the interest of the South Sudanese people, said the United States Ambassador to South Sudan.

Michael J. Adler and his Torika counterparts made the remarks after meeting First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar in Juba, Thursday.

He said South Sudanese understand the need for a single army and urged the parties to prioritize the need for redeployment of the necessary unified forces.

According to him, the ambassadorial Troika team discussed with Dr. Riek Machar the importance and urgency of meeting the peace commitment by the parties.

“Along with my Torika colleagues, we underscore our expectation that all parties prioritized this commitment we discussed the deployment of the necessary unified forces.

“Everybody who looks at the situation in the north border should understand that South Sudan needs a single military with a single chain of command.

“Those who obstructed progress and the deployment of the necessary unified forces harm the interest of the South Sudanese people in achieving progress,” said Ambassador J. Adler.

It’s not the first time the Troika ambassadors sounded the call on the parties to exercise the political to expedite the implementation of the peace agreement.

On March 30, 2023, as Delivered on Behalf of the Troika by the U.S., Ambassador Michael J. Adler called on South Sudan’s leaders to implement the peace agreement and make sustained, tangible progress to completing the transition to a permanent, elected government acceptable to the people of South Sudan.

Speaking to the reporters after the Friday Council of Ministers’ meeting Last week, Michael Makuei said the graduated forces will be redeployed once the national legislature approves the fiscal budget for 2023/2024.