By William Madouk
Activists have called for creditable investigation into clashes between South Sudan Peoples’ Defence Forces (SSPDF) and armed youth in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.
Executive Director for the Centre for peace and Advocacy (CPA), Mr. Ter Manyang Gatwech condemned the recent fight, saying that rampant clashes could jeopardize 2018 peace deal.
“The Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), condemned the ongoing fighting in Nasir County, Upper Nile State,” he said.
Mr. Ter quoted Article 2.1.10.4; which “prohibits offensive, provocative, or retaliatory actions, such as the dissemination of hostile propaganda, recruitment, mobilization, redeployment, and the movement of forces,”
“Except for administrative and logistical movements allowed under the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CoHA) of December 21, 2017,” he continued.
He explained that movements and any activities that may jeopardize the agreement must be reported to the CTSAMVM prior to taking place.
“CPA has received credible reports of significant recruitment activities in Juba and other states carried out by the top leadership of the SSPDF,” Ter noted.
Also, activist alleged that there have been substantial movements by the SSPDF in Western Equatoria, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and Upper Nile States, which the SPLA-IO may view as a strategic maneuver towards their cantonments.
“CPA reminds political leaders not to lead the country back into a full-scale war, which resulted in massive displacement of civilians, loss of human lives, and a severe erosion of human rights and the rule of law throughout the nation,”
He called on the Political leaders to assure citizens, IGAD, the AU, and the international community that the country will not revert to full-scale war.
This can be achieved by promoting a culture of peace and fostering tolerance among political leaders for the benefit of all citizens and country.
CPA urged CTSAMVM to condemn the provocative actions in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, as well as in Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal states.
“Both CTSAMVM and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) must take their responsibilities seriously, as expected by the public,”
According to Ter, those who seek to advance their interests through war and conflict should be held accountable.
The call follows recent fighting between SSPDF troops and local youth in Nasir that resulted in the deaths of four SSPDF soldiers, and thirteen others are nursing gun wounds.
Meanwhile, SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai and Commissioner of Nasir County, James Gatluak offered conflicting accounts on what resulted into the ill-fated clashes.
According to Gen. Lul, SSPDF soldiers were attacked in the evening while collecting firewood at bout 600 miles away their trenches.
But, Nasir County commissioner, James Galtuak claimed the attack was premediated by the army against civilians especially youth and community leaders while in meeting with UNMISS.