The Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) on Thursday called for swift action to restore calm in Nasir County in Upper Nile State.
Earlier this month, at least 30,000 residents of Nasir Town were displaced from their homes to surrounding villages following a clash between the army and local youth.
Speaking during the opening session of the CTSAMVM`s Technical Committee (CTC) Meeting in Juba, Maj. Gen. Yitayal Gelaw Bitew, the Mechanism’s chairman, said it remains concerned about reports of tensions after clashes erupted between armed youth and SSPDF soldiers in Nasir County, resulting in the death of one soldier.
“This area has been a hot spot with several clashes reported and urgent action needs to be taken to ensure a return to normalcy, however, CTSAMVM is yet to investigate the matter,” he stated.
Gen. Gelaw also highlighted that two more battalions of the Necessary Unified Forces have been deployed, making a total of eight military battalions that have so far been deployed.
“We asked the Joint Defense Board (JDB) for details about the deployment but have not heard back yet,” he revealed. “The information about the April 2024 deployment of these battalions to Jamus in Bentiu and Malakal SSPDF Division 2 was not accessible to CTSAMVM at JDB’s briefing of the 41st CTSAMVM Board on 23 April 2024.”
The official also disclosed that CTSAMVM has received no additional information about the occupation of civilian areas and buildings, cantonment sites, and training centers since the last CTC meeting held on 20 June 2024.
He said the body will discuss a report concerning alleged covert training and recruitment conducted by the SSPDF in several regions of Central Equatoria State. An update on the report was presented to the CTC members on 09 May 2024, when the investigation was first conducted.
“Unfortunately, CTSAMVM did not gain access to some of the areas to gather more information. This is a denial of access as stipulated in Article 2.1.10.6 of the R-ARCSS.,” he asserted. “The report is based on investigations undertaken with the full involvement of the national monitors and discussed at the Joint Monitoring and Coordination Office with the active participation of the Senior National Liaison Officers.”