The Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring & Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) has urged the signatory parties involved in conflict to exercise the highest level of restraint during volatile period.
The CTSAMVM is the multinational body that monitors compliance to the 2018 peace agreement particularly on ceasefire.
Chairperson Maj Gen Yitayal Gelaw Bitew expressed that confrontation between some parties to the peace agreement threaten the peace agreement.
He outlined that Nasir incident (conflict between government forces and white Army) series of arrests targeting high-ranking government officials and mostly, the involvement foreign forces and bombardment worried the stakeholders.
“These activities have caused worry among many stakeholders of the R-ARCSS” Gelaw said.
He appealed to the parties to the peace agreement to double efforts in control the situation.
“CTSAMVM urges the signatory parties involved (in conflict)to exercise the highest level of restraint during this volatile period” he said
“On the Status of the Ceasefire I address you, the Board members, with deep concerns about the current threat to the ceasefire agreement” he added.
He noted that the current situation remains critical and there is need for the parties to develop trust and ensure that it is control.
“The current reporting period is marked by a tense and volatile situation….. Most critical is the situation in Upper Nile State, with several reports of mobilization of forces and alleged aerialbombardments” he said
“These clashes significantly affect the implementation of the already fragile ceasefire and cause immense suffering to the civilian population” he added
The CTSAMVM chairperson urged the parties to cease violent and focus on avenues of dialogue that can normalized the situation.
“CTSAMVM strongly urges the signatory parties to step away from the path of violence, respect the R-ARCSS and seek the path to peace for all across the breadth of South Sudan. In Nasir, Upper Nile State, there was a clash between the SSPDF and a group of armed civilians referred to as the White Army” he expressed.
The Sudan People Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition(SPLM/A-IO) announced on Monday night that it would halt participation in the Joint Defense Board (JDB), High-Level Political Committee (HLPC), Joint Military Ceasefire Committee (JMCC), and Joint Transitional Security Committee (JTSC) until all its detained political and military officials are released.
