A hand-over ceremony marked the transfer of Bentiu barracks in Unity State from Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) to Joint Integrated Units (JIUs) - combined SAF and Sudan People's Liberation Army forces -- on 9 January.

A significant step forward in implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the event was attended by Sudanese Minister of Cabinet Affairs Pagan Amum, Minister of Defence First Lt. Gen. Abdel Rahim Mohamed Husen, UNMIS Sector Commander Col. A.S. Rathore and the SAF as well as JIU Commanders.

The ceremony concluded with an exchange of flags between the SAF and JIU Commanders. The SAF flag was then pulled down and the JIU flag raised.

After the ceremony, the Cabinet Minister and Minister of Defence addressed a crowd at Bentiu Stadium, which was followed by a parade of local school children, women and SAF as well as JIU troops.