By Yiep Joseph
Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) warns that recent clashes in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, threaten the ceasefire.
In his opening statement at the 51st Board Meeting, Major General Yitayal Gelaw Bitew, Chairperson of CTSAMVM reported that his office received information about fighting between the SSPDF and armed youth in Upper Nile.
He also acknowledged report of mobilization among youth in Ulang County and deployment of SSPDF forces in Upper Nile. He cited that such moves and clashes in Upper Nile threaten the ceasefire.
“On the situation in Upper Nile State, CTSAMVM is concerned that several accounts of imminent clashes in Nasir, Upper Nile State, indicate a likely ceasefire fracture,” Gelaw said.
“Tensions have been high in the area (Nasir), which has led to the displacement of civilians, creating a humanitarian crisis, amongst other challenges,” he added.
He expressed that armed clashes between two signatory parties (SSPDF and SPLA-IO) have continued near the state boundary between Western Equatoria and Western Bahr El Ghazal since January.
The monitors call on the parties to respect the peace agreement and continuous confrontations for peace to hold.
“CTSAMVM urges all parties to exercise restraint and caution to sustain the integrity of the ceasefire, which is increasingly at risk and threatens the fragile implementation of the R-ARCSS,” he said.
“CTSAMVM also urges the signatory parties to follow the proper procedures and mechanisms to solve their differences as outlined in the R ARCSS,” he added.
The peace monitor expressed commitment to their task regardless of a series of challenges such as inadequate funds as well as violation of the ceasefire by parties.
Recently, a civil society organization urged the government to conduct its planned disarmament operation in Nasir County peacefully to avoid violence and human rights violations.
Edmund Yakani, executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), warned against the use of force, saying past disarmament efforts have led to violence and civilian casualties.
“CEPO is urging the government to carry out peaceful disarmament, not forceful disarmament that leads to deadly moments and grave human rights violations. ‘Let the exercise of civilian disarmament be free from being politicized by the political elites,” he said.
Yakani called on the government to ensure the process is not politicized by elites seeking personal or factional gain.
The statement comes amid rising tensions in Nasir, where armed youth are reportedly mobilizing to resist the planned disarmament.
Ceasefire & Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring & Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) is the multinational body that monitors compliance with the South Sudan peace agreement signed in 2018.