Machar SPLM-IO withdrawal from security mechanisms and accused government for violating peace agreement R-ARCSS.

Machar SPLM-IO withdrawal from security mechanisms and accused government for violating peace agreement R-ARCSS.

South Sudan’s main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny has said that it is withdrawing from security mechanisms as well as peace monitoring bodies.

This, a statement by the SPLM-IO’s chairman Machar says, is in protest to continued attacks from South Sudan People’s Defense Forces on SPLA-IO cantonment sites in Unity state and Upper Nile.

“The SPLM/SPLA(IO) Political Bureau (PB) met on Tuesday 22nd March 2022 to discuss reports from SPLM/SPLA(IO) security mechanisms components namely JDB, JTSC, JMCC, SDSR Board, CTSAMM, SSM as well as the National Transitional Committee (NTC) and Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC),” Machar said in a statement extended to Thejubamirror news desk

The statement said the group’s political bureau “evaluated and noted the dysfunctionality of these mechanisms in the implementation of the Agreement (R-ARCSS).”

“Deeply concerned by the ongoing attacks on SPLM/SPLA(IO) cantonments and Training Centers in Kaljak and Mirimir in Unity State and in Jekou in Upper Nile State, the PB approved the suspension of participation of SPLM/SPLA(IO) in the security mechanisms’ meetings pending the resolution of the issues raised, at the political level,” it added.

The group condemned the continued attacks on its positions, but then reiterated its commitment to the full implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.

“In conclusion, the Political Bureau condemns in strongest terms possible the systematic attacks of the SPLM/SPLA(IO) forces and reiterates its continuous commitment to full implementation of the R-ARCSS.”