JUBA— The SPLM Former Detainees’ representative to the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), Maj. Gen. Bior Leek Kuareng, has disputed claims by the ceasefire monitoring agency’s head that the ceasefire is holding across South Sudan.
During a CTSAMVM meeting in Juba yesterday, Yitayel Gelaw Bitew, the agency’s head, reported that peace implementation in the country is progressing with no significant incidents of conflict, except for a clash in Nassir where SSPDF forces and armed youth engaged, leading to deaths and displacement.
“I am encouraged to note that the ceasefire continues to hold, as evidenced by the fact that we do not have a specific report to discuss today. This positive development is largely due to your shared commitment to the peace process,” Bitew said.
However, Maj. Gen. Kuareng challenged this assessment, pointing out ongoing clashes, including a recent incident between the SSPDF and the White Army in Nassir that resulted in the deaths of at least four people, including three SSPDF soldiers. He also cited fighting in Ulang County, Upper Nile, where at least eight people were killed on Sunday, and new tensions in Yambio, Western Equatoria State.
“If there are tensions in Nassir, violations or fighting in Matat, Uror County, and new tensions arising in Yambio, these are serious violations,” Kuareng stated. “You cannot say the ceasefire is holding when there is ongoing violence.”
Kuareng emphasized the need for CTSAMVM to consult with ground sources and provide formal updates on incidents to the signatories of the revitalized peace agreement and responsible bodies.
In response to reports of armed fighting and civilian displacement in Nassir County, Bitew announced plans for a joint investigative and mediation approach to reduce tensions between the youths and SSPDF forces.
Call for Funding and Deployment of Peace Forces
Bitew also reiterated CTSAMVM’s call for the government to support the deployment of the graduated unified forces, noting that only a fraction of the 53,000 graduated forces have been deployed.
“The positive impact of deploying the Necessary Unified Forces (NUF) as provided for in the revitalized peace agreement should be reinforced with the necessary resources to enable a broader deployment across the country,” he said, adding that this would also create space within training centers for Phase 2 training.
Maj. Gen. Jany Kawai, the South Sudan Opposition Alliance’s (SSOA) representative to CTSAMVM, questioned the delay in the deployment of the NUF.
“The national unified force is still not fully deployed. We need to know the exact reason for this delay,” Kawai said, stressing that the delay undermines the peace agreement and contributes to insecurity in some areas.
South Sudan’s unity government, formed in February 2020 under the revitalized peace agreement, had announced in March that Phase 2 of peace forces training would begin after the deployment of the graduated forces. However, less than 4,000 of these forces have been deployed, and even they lack weapons due to a UN Security Council-imposed arms embargo aimed at maintaining peace in the country.
