Peace principals told to punish ceasefire violators over Moroto fighting

JUBA – South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir Mayardit, and his first deputy, Dr. Riek Machar, are being told by a local advocacy group to punish ceasefire violators who have been hampering efforts of ceasefire realization across the country as fighting between the SSPDF and the SPLA-IO in Central Equatoria state continue to threaten peace implementation across the country.

Since September, fighting between a former opposition commander, General Moses Lokujo, who defected to President Salva Kiir’s side that month, and the SPLA-IO has been going on displacing several civilians in many parts of Kajo-keji.

The SPLA-IO has accused the SSPDF of launching attacks along with the former opposition commander who also at some point threatened to finish SPLA-IO soldiers should they refuse to vacate a training centre meant to train unified forces.

In a statement, the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), a Juba-based rights group, condemned the fighting, and urged President Kiir and his first deputy Machar to investigate the fighting and punish perpetrators.

“The Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) strongly condemns the reported clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces  (SSPDF) against the forces of Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) around areas of Kerwa, Andejo, Kendiri, Mangalatore, Morota junction, and Morota unified training centre,” the statement extended to Sudans Post reads in part.

“This is a violation of the cessation of hostilities signed by the government of South Sudan and SPLA-IO on 21st December, 2017. CPA calls on CTSAMVM and JUB to investigate thoroughly and hold whoever is responsible accountable in order for South Sudan to have everlasting peace.

“The Centre for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) condemns and denounces the use of military- oriented solutions and urges the conflicting parties to promote peace through negotiated solutions rather than guns.  It is therefore incumbent upon the conflicting parties to uphold the highest moral standards in regards to the respect and promotion of human rights and rule of law. These clashes will only worsen the already dire situation of the civilians in South Sudan.

“The Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) would therefore like the conflicting parties to show and exercise maximum restraint and cease hostilities. Let the focus be on fighting the global pandemic in the item of COVID-19 that has caused thousands of lives and infected millions globally.

“On an equal footing, the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) would like to encourage the IGAD, AU and International Community and peace monitors not take their eyes off these violations. These clashes must be investigated thoroughly and hold whoever is responsible accountable.”