President Kiir presides over swearing-in of unified command officers

President Salva Kiir yesterday presided over the swearing-in of the newly appointed officials for the ranks, forming the unified command structure.

Those who took the oath had their ranks confirmed by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Santino Wol Deng, Inspector General of Police, Gen. Koang Gatkuoth Kerjok, Director-General of the National Security Service Gen Akol Koor Kuc, Director-General of National Wildlife Service, Gen Khamis Adiang, and the Commissioner of Civil Defence Forces.

‘‘His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic, in his Capacity as the Commander-In-Chief of the Unified South Sudan National Army and the Supreme Commander of all Other Organised Forces, presided over the Oath of Allegiance of Officers whose ranks have been confirmed…” a statement from the office of the president read partly.

It added: ‘‘The oath-taking was administered by the Chief Justice Chan Reech Madut in the Presence of the First Vice President H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny, Vice President for Services Delivery Cluster H.E. Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, Presidential Advisor on Security Affairs Hon. Tut Gatluak Manime, Minister of Presidential Affairs Hon. Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin , Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hon. Mayiik Ayii Deng, Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Hon. Angelina Teny, Minister of National Security Hon. Obuto Mamur Mete, Minister of Interior Hon. Mahmoud Solomon Agook, and a number of government dignitaries.’’

The swearing-in came a day after President Kiir issued multiple Republican Decrees declaring the names of nominees for the ranks in the unified command structure. This after the parties to the agreement reached a consensus on the sharing formula and handed over the names of the nominees for the positions to the head of state. Once the restructuring is done, the whole process culminates in the graduation of the first batch of unified forces.