By Charles K Mark
Tensions among parties to peace agreement remain high and could result in violence, the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) has expressed.
CTSAMVM Chairperson, Maj. Gen. Hailu Gonfa Eddosa, stated during the 39th Board Meeting that the peace monitoring body recorded some serious incidents, especially in the Upper Nile region
Among some of the incidences, Edossa pointed out was one serious ambush in Unity State by the end of January, with allegations by the SPLM/A-IO that their positions at Jamus were attacked by the SSPDF.
The SSPDF, meanwhile, refuted the claims in a counter-accusation reaction, saying a convoy escorting the Unity State governor and senior personnel from the state government was instead attacked by the SPLM/A-IO.
“Although the situation in the area has become calm, the issues that caused the incident need to be addressed in order to prevent escalation and further violence,” Edossa urged.
The Chair of CTSAMVM also applauded the R-TGoNU for an immediate move to form a high-level delegation with representatives from all the signatory parties deployed to restore calm and take remedial action in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.
The action followed a fatal incident between the SSPDF garrison in Nassir and local armed youth on February 10, this very year.
“Civilians continue to suffer as the result of the actions of military personnel,” he revealed.
On allegations of harassment, violence, and extortion by SSPDF forces during a disarmament operation in Gondokoro, CTSAMVM said it was yet to release a full report out of investigations conducted.
“CTSAMVM has completed investigations into these allegations; a report has been prepared, which will be presented at the next board meeting once it has been discussed by the CTC,” the chairperson said.
The Security Arrangement Mechanism Verifying also raised concerns about the silence of the R-TGoNU over the deployment of the necessary Unified Forces (NUF) or any arrangement being made for Phase 2 training.
Following the deployment of Phase 1 battalions of the NUF, Edossa emphasized the importance of accelerating and maintaining Phase 2 training in order to retain personnel.
“It is vital that the NUF be fully deployed in order to secure the elections planned for December of this year,” he suggested.
No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper contacted the spokesperson of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, on the formation of the investigation committee for the Nasir incident.
Gen. Lul said on the return of the committee from Nasir County, a report was submitted to the military command office, which still awaits feedback.
“We gave the report to the Chief of Defense Forces, who will take time to look at it, and then he will give us the go-ahead to disseminate it and the recommendations,” he told this outlet.