South Sudan ceasefire monitors welcome SPLM-IO return to security mechanisms

JUBA — South Sudan’s ceasefire monitors on Monday welcomed Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-in opposition (SPLM/A-IO) decision to participate in the security mechanisms after recently opting out due to “unprovoked” attacks on its positions.

First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar and leader of SPLM/A-IO on March 22nd 2022, announced his party’s withdrawal from attending meetings of the vital security mechanisms, such as strategic defense and security review (SDSR), joint transitional security committee (JTSC), joint military ceasefire commission (JMCC) and the joint defense board (JDB).

Lt. Gen. Asrat Denero Amad Chairperson of Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) appreciated the lifting by the SPLM/A-IO of the suspension of participation in meetings of CTSAMVM.

“Due to the collective efforts of the leadership of the parties, the deadlock has 3 been broken. We highly appreciate the lifting by the SPLM/A-IO of the suspension of participation in meetings of CTSAMVM,” Denero said during the CTSAMVM Technical Committee Meeting in Juba on Monday.

SPLM/A-IO and the South Sudan army (SSPDF) clashed recently in the oil-rich regions of Upper Nile and Unity states, leading to fresh fears of the fragile peace deal collapsing.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan, African Union, and Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) that brokered the peace deal has recently met all the parties in a bid to return them toward the negotiating table.

The transitional period ends in February 2023, and afterwards the first national election will be held to pave way for transition toward peace.