Ceasefire monitors seek financial assistance

JUBA – South Sudan ceasefire monitoring body, Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), on Tuesday called for financial assistance to enable them carry out their tasks.

Speaking during the monthly board meeting in Juba, Maj. Gen. Hailu Gonfa Eddosa Chairperson CTSAMVM said lack of funding put at risk the functioning of the body responsible for monitoring and verifying the implementation of a permanent ceasefire.

“CTSAMVM hopes that its donors will boost and forward financial support to facilitate its mandate in regard to the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement (PCTSA) Mechanism,” Gonfa said.

Gonfa said urgent donor funding will enable them to monitor the Permanent Ceasefire in the country.

“I would like to remind our members that CTSAMVM relies wholly and fully on donor funding and appreciates the donors for their support,” he said.

“However, CTSAMVM still continues to encounter challenges that affect the effectiveness of our monitoring process which is critical as we approach the election period.”

In February 2024, the ceasefire monitors shut down operations of its monitoring and verification teams (MVTs) in Torit and Bor due to financial constraints.

In 2021, the government took over the responsibility of paying the national monitors in CTSAMVM.

The government disbursed $295,200 to CTSAMVM to clear arrears of its national monitors after the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) –the body which mediated the peace deal declined to pay South Sudan nationals on ceasefire teams.

On July 15, 2022, the U.S. government cut off its financial support for RJMEC and CTSAMVM due to a lack of progress on the implementation of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.