The Ceasefire & Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring & Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) has voiced concerns over delays in the commencement of phase two training of and deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces (NUF).

Speaking during the CTSAMVM board meeting on Tuesday in Juba, Gen. Hailu Gonfa Edossa, the monitoring body’s chairperson, said it is sad to see that the parties to the agreement have not been able to start the process.

“No additional deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces apart from the 6 percent out of the planned 83,000 reported in the last board meeting,” he stated. “Yet, their deployment is critical for addressing security issues in the country and a prerequisite for elections.”

“CTSAMVM, with profound regard to the Roadmap of the Extended Transitional Period, urges the unity government to quickly implement the remaining unimplemented tasks especially Chapter 2 which concerns the provision of security arrangements,” Gen. Gonfa added.

South Sudan graduated the first phase of Necessary Unified Forces on 30 August 2021 after the retraining and integration of rebel and pro-government fighters into the military, police, and security services. 750 of the NUFs were deployed in Upper Nile’s capital Malakal.

Gen. Gonfa also reported that while there are delays in implementing the security arrangements, forces in cantonment sites across the country are living in dire humanitarian situations.  

“You will also receive an update on the status of the critical pre-transitional tasks of cantonment and training of the Necessary Unified Forces. Since the last board meeting, Cantonment Sites and Training Centers commanders continue to report the very dire situation with a lack of food and medicines,”

He added.

The monitoring body however commended the parties for holding to the ceasefire countrywide.

“CTSAMVM has identified no verified clashes, in general, between the parties’ signatory to the RARCSS since the last board meeting and this is an impressive progress and we commend all parties for holding the ceasefire,” Gen. Gonfa concluded.