SPLM-IO conference condemns use of state media to ‘spread propaganda’ against Machar

JUBA – South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, has condemned, in the strongest terms possible, what it said is the use of state media to spread hate and propaganda against its members and most important the First Vice President and its Chairman, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, according to a communiqué extended to Sudans Post.

For the last one week, the SPLM-IO has been conducting its first-ever National Conference in the capital Juba chaired by Machar and that conference reiterated, among others, the commitment of the main armed opposition group to the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement the group signed with President Salva Kiir Mayardit in September 2018.

“[The SPLM-IO] condemns in the strongest terms possible the use of state media to spread propaganda and hate speeches against the members of SPLM/SPLA (IO), and especially against His Excellency the First Vice President of the Republic,” the communiqué extended to Sudans Post reads in part.

The communiqué further noted “with concern that the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and other security forces of the ITGONU that have been using officers and forces, who defected from the SPLM/SPLA (I0) and joined their ranks and files, to violate the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA).”

“The Conference, therefore, condemns in the strongest terms possible the continuous and provocative attacks against the SPLM/SPLA (IO) forces as well as those in cantonment sites and training centers such as in Turu and Morota respectively.

“The Conference calls upon the security organs of Incumbent Transitional Government of National Unity (ITGONU) to desist from promoting defections from other parties as this act is a violation of the Agreement. The Conference, therefore, reminds the SSPDF and other ITGONU security organs of their responsibility to respect the COHA and the permanent ceasefire.”

The communiqué further urged the “parties to the Agreement and RTGONU to accelerate the unification of command, graduation and deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces currently in the training centers, and to immediately commence training of phase II forces.”