South Sudan peace monitors welcome training start for phase two of peace forces

JUBA — The South Sudan Ceasefire Monitoring body (CTSAMVM) welcomed the decision by President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vice President Riek Machar to begin training for phase two of the unified forces within the next two weeks.

“CTSAMVM performs its mandate in some very challenging places in South Sudan,” said outgoing chairperson Maj Gen Hailu Gonfa Eddosa, opening a CTSAMVM meeting in Juba. “We welcome the presidency’s decision.”

Gonfa expressed concern about reports of tensions in Tambura County, Western Equatorial State, which have endangered civilians. He commended the Western Equatoria Governor’s deployment of security forces to de-escalate the situation.

The CTSAMVM chairperson also reported violence perpetrated by suspected National Salvation Front (NAS) elements in Mundri Counties, Western Equatoria State, particularly Minga and Wiro Payam.

“An estimated 6,000 people in Minga Payam were displaced to Kediba Payam, Mundri East County, and Rokon in Central Equatorial State,” Gonfa said.

The 2018 revitalized peace agreement signed by Kiir and Machar included provisions for integrating rival armed factions into unified forces, forming the base for a professional national army. However, the process remains unfinished.

While roughly 53,000 unified forces from phase one completed training in 2022, only 4,000 have been deployed so far,and without firearms. President Kiir has blamed an arms embargo for the delay in equipping the forces.

The international community, including the United States, disagrees. They believe South Sudan has enough existing firearms to equip the peacekeepers.