In a statement issued Friday by SPLA-IO spokesperson Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, the group’s Acting Chief of General Staffs, Lt. Gen. Peter Thok Chuol, voiced concern over the recent remarks by Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk, Chairman of the National Transitional Committee (NTC), regarding the commencement of Phase Two of the Transitional Security Arrangements.
“The A/g Chief of General Staffs of SPLA-IO Lt. Gen. Peter Thok Chuol read with concern the statement made by the NTC Chairman, Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk on 21/07/2025 regarding the commencement of Phase two of the Transitional Security Arrangement,” the statement read.
Lt. Gen. Thok accused the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) of committing “extreme violations and gross atrocities” against SPLA-IO forces and civilians, blaming the stalled implementation of security arrangements on the SSPDF’s alleged partisan loyalty.
“It is unfortunate that the SSPDF decided to remain loyal to a party (SPLM-IG) instead of the Nation. This call for phase two, therefore, lacks truth and sense unless it is meant to extort money for the personal benefit of a few,” the statement added.
Rejecting any advancement of the peace deal’s security implementation, the SPLA-IO said it would not accept Phase Two unless key opposition figures are released.
“The SPLA-IO hereby categorically rejects the so-called phase two of the security arrangements as long as H.E. Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon (PhD), the FVP and Commander in Chief of the SPLA-IO, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam and all those illegally and cowardly detained are released to pave the way for a genuine dialogue.”
The group also accused CTSAMVM of failing to implement a redeployment decision made by the SPLM/A-IO Deputy Chairman, raising fears of favoritism in the monitoring body.
“Secondly, the SPLA-IO noticed that the recent redeployment made by the Deputy Chairman of the SPLM/A-IO to own personnel in CTSAMVM has not yet been effected by the CTSAMVM Chair. This shows partiality, which will not be taken lightly by the SPLA-IO leadership.”
Warning of consequences, the statement emphasised that the SPLA-IO would deny CTSAMVM access to its territories if neutrality is not restored.
“The Acting Chief of the SPLA-IO calls upon the CTSAMVM to remain neutral by acting on this redeployment made ASAP, otherwise they will be restricted from accessing all SPLA-IO territories.”
The statement concluded with a directive to SPLA-IO troops to ignore the NTC’s call and stay alert.
“The SPLA-IO Force Commander, therefore, directs all own forces to disregard this call for phase two by the NTC and remain vigilant until further directives.”
