The body monitoring South Sudan’s ceasefire (CTSAMVM) said induction training for 10 new ceasefire monitors was conducted after they completed 14 days of self-quarantine in Juba.
The new ceasefire monitors are from Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sudan and Kenya.
In a statement extended to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, CTSAMVM said the purpose of the training was to provide an overview of its mission and policies as well as the peace agreements and procedures which the ceasefire monitoring mechanism uses to fulfill its mandate in South Sudan.
“In compliance with the guidelines from the Ministry of Health on COVID-19 precautionary measures, the incoming monitors were divided into two groups of five each, to observe social distancing under supervision of CTSAMVM medical personnel,” it noted.
The training, according to the monitoring body, is critical even during this period in time as CTSAMVM continues to monitor, verify and report on compliance of the signatory parties to the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements (PCTSA, Chapter II) in the peace agreement.
“The new international observers will be deployed to CTSAMVM’s HQ and monitoring and verification teams across the country,” it added.
CTSAMVM vowed to observe all guidelines issued by the National Ministry of Health in the wake of the new coronavirus pandemic.
The ceasefire monitoring body was established after the signing of the peace agreement in August 2015.