Arop
By Emmanuel Garjiek
Ceasefire monitors in South Sudan have expressed concern that the country’s fragile truce may collapse, as growing violent conflicts between peace deal signatories threaten to disrupt attempts to resolve the country’s long-running conflict.
The country has been officially at peace since a 2018 accord ended a five-year civil conflict that cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. However, political tensions remain high as the country prepares for its first elections since independence.
Major General Yitayal Gelaw Bitew, Chairman of the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement, Monitoring, and Verification
The CTSAMVM issued the warning during a technical committee meeting in Juba on Tuesday.
He observed increased violence between two signatory factions along the state borders of Western Equatoria and Western Bahr El Ghazal.
“The integrity of the ceasefire is increasingly at risk, threatening the fragile implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS),” Gelaw stated.
He voiced profound worry over reports of civilian casualties and displacement, which have been ongoing since January 11. “CTSAMVM is deeply concerned by reports received from community representatives regarding civilian casualties and displacement,” according to Gelaw.
In reaction to the rising violence, a CTSAMVM monitoring and verification team in Wau undertook a lengthy patrol to connect with stakeholders and individuals directly affected by the conflict. Gelaw advised the fighting sides to “consider the consequences of their actions and ensure appropriate command over their forces.”
Gelaw also noted the continuous issues that CTSAMVM troops encounter, particularly while conducting patrols in Wonduruba, Central Equatoria State. “I must also highlight continued access challenges that have prevented our Juba-based Monitoring and Verification Team from conducting an investigative patrol to Wonduruba,” stated the commander.
He urged all stakeholders to guarantee that CTSAMVM receives the required clearances to carry out its duty for impartial and timely reporting. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” Gelaw said.
Gelaw in Upper Nile State called for calm following violent clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and armed people in Nasir County. “Civilians were displaced as a result of rising tensions in the region.
,” he said. “CTSAMVM calls on both parties to reflect on the rationale for continuing this cycle of armed violence and its impact on the civilian population.”
Gelaw decried the acts of the National Salvation Front (NAS), commanded by Gen. Thomas Cirillo, accusing its soldiers of endangering residents in Equatoria. He highlighted a January 20 incident in Mundri East County, in which the NAS allegedly apprehended a young guy for forced recruitment. The person was shot and murdered while attempting to flee.
Furthermore, on February 9, an armed gang suspected to be NAS assaulted the Jalimo SSPDF Barracks in Kajo-Keji County, killing three soldiers and wounded two civilians. Civilians’ homes were also destroyed during the raid.
“CTSAMVM condemns the targeting of civilians and reminds NAS that they are accountable for the actions of their forces, allies, or any militia under their command, as stipulated in Article 5 of the 2017 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement,” Gelaw said.
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