South Sudan parties unable to control forces — monitors

JUBA — South Sudan’s Ceasefire, Transitional Security Arrangements, Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) said today that parties to the 2018 peace deal are not completely in charge of their forces, who have been accused of committing atrocities against civilians in the country.

Lt. Gen. Asrat Denero Amad, CTSAMVM, chairperson, said parties continue to commit atrocities against civilians in Upper Nile due to lack of discipline and control.

“Violations against civilians and armed forces’ clashes between the parties continue due to a lack of discipline and control by the Parties over their military personnel and armed groups under their control and influence,” Gen. Denero said during the monthly CTSAM meeting in Juba on Monday.

Denero said the clashes between the splinter factions of the main opposition party Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-in Opposition in Upper Nile state have declined.

“CTSAMVM remains concerned about the recent reports of tensions in Upper Nile State and northern parts of Jonglei States following repeated clashes reported between SPLM/A-IO, Agwelek forces, and the armed youth which has caused deaths and large-scale displacement of civilians,” he said.

Denero called on the parties to immediately deploy the unified forces to curb insecurity in most parts of the country.

“The graduation and deployment of the National Unified Forces are critical for addressing the security issues in the Republic of South Sudan and will be a big step forward for the peace process,” said Denerol.

Since August, a total of 27,366 forces have graduated in the Greater Equatoria and Jonglei States.

Denero said the graduation of troops has created hope among the forces and the citizens of South Sudan that indeed the parties are committed to the implementation of the 2018 peace deal.

The ceasefire signed in December 2017 between the SPLM/A-IO led by now First Vice President Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir has been largely holding despite isolated clashes in some remote areas.

The Kitgwang faction is a splinter group of SPLM/A-IO led by Machar’s former chief of general staff Simon Gatwech Dual.

It split from the main opposition in August 2021, while accusing Machar of nepotism and weakening its hand in the transitional unity government formed in February 2020.