Kiir, Machar directs security mechanisms to visit Magenis to ‘calm’ tensions

JUBA – South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his first deputy Dr. Riek Machar Teny have this evening met in Juba and directed the security mechanism provided for in the revitalized peace agreement to visit Magenis where fighting between rival SPLA-IO factions fought following the defection of the former SPLA-IO military chief General Simon Gatwech Dual.

In a communiqué following the meeting, the presidency called for calm and said it urges non-interference policy in the ongoing conflict among different SPLA-IO factions urging the parties to the revitalized peace agreement to adhere to the terms of the 2018 peace agreement.

“The Presidency calls for calm in Magenis and discourages any interference to the ongoing implementation of the R-ARCSS. Furthermore, the Presidency encourages the parties to the R-ARCSS to adhere to the spirit of peace, reconciliation and healing,” reads the presidency communiqué in part.

While the presidency urged the SPLA-IO rival factions to maintain a distance to act as a buffer zone, it directed the security mechanism to visit the areas where conflict has recently been reported in order to calm the situation that now threatens the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

“The Presidency directs the Security Supervision Mechanism (SSM) and the Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement, Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) to visit the areas of conflict in order to maintain calm and prevent any further violence,” the statement said.

“The Presidency directs the SPLM/A-IO forces under the command of Dr Riek Machar Teny and the breakaway forces under General Simon Gatwech Dual to observe a reasonable distance in order to safeguard against any further violence,” it added.

It further directed “the Joint Defence Board (JDB); the Joint Transitional Security Committee (JTSC); and the Joint Military Ceasefire Commission (JMCC) to visit the training centres and cantonment sites under the supervision of the National Transitional Committee (NTC).”