By Bosco Bush
Evacuation of military forces has been successfully conducted from two essential public facilities in Kajo-Keji Country, Central Equatoria State.
Ceasefire & Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring & Verification Mechanism [CTSAMVM] confirmed demilitarization of the facilities, on Thursday, at the 49th CTSAMVM Board, Juba.
CTSAMVM Chairperson, Maj. Gen. Yitayal Gelaw said the facilities that were occupied by the military forces during onset of 2013/2016 civil war, included Kirwa Health Facility and Bori Primary School.
“Under the arrangements of Article 2.2.3.1 of the R-ARCSS, two civilian areas, Kirwa Health Facility and Bori Primary School, located in Central Equatoria State, have been confirmed as vacated,” he stated.
Vacation of these buildings, Gelaw said, “is a positive step toward compliance with the implementation process and the provisions of the R-ARCSS.”
However, he didn’t mention whether there is a remaining number of militarized civilian centers or not.
Chapter II, Article 2.2.3.1 – Transitional Security Arrangements of the Revitalized Agreement on Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan [R-ARCISS] dictates that civilian areas shall be immediately demilitarized.
These include schools, service centers, occupied houses, IDP camps, protection of civilian sites, villages, churches, mosques, ritual centers and livelihood areas.
Focusing on incidents affecting the Permanent Ceasefire, and the progress of implementation of the Transitional Security Arrangements, the official reported an effective hold of ceasefire between signatory parties to the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.
However, Gen. Gelaw noted with concern the security situation in Tambura County especially where one man was killed on Nov. 27 in an assassination attempt against the County Commissioner – which he said undermines peace and security in the state.
“CTSAMVM is concerned about the deteriorating security situation in Tambura County. One man was killed in what was assessed to be an attempt on the life of the Tambura County Commissioner.”
“This represents a concerted attempt to remove an official from office and undermine peace and security in Western Equatoria,” he stated.