The Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) has raised alarm over the lack of support and cooperation from the government of South Sudan.
Speaking during a CTSAMVM technical committee meeting at the Beijing Hotel in Juba on Thursday, Chairperson Maj Gen Yitayal Gelaw Bitew, said they were deeply concerned that many of their activities were being cancelled or postponed by institutions meant to support them.
“The Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JVMM) has not promptly approved CTSAMVM’s November Dynamic Air Patrols (DAPs), which are essential for initiating investigations. This delay significantly impacts key patrol activities, resulting in their cancellations,” Bitew said.
He revealed that the investigations into the gruesome killings in the Wonduruba Administrative Payam of Central Equatoria had also stalled due to the lack of approval for flights.
“The investigation into the killings of civilians in Wonduruba has generated significant anticipation from CTSAMVM, the CTSAMVM Technical Committee (CTC) and the CTSAMVM board are eager to receive the report,” he said.
“However, due to a lack of approval for Flight Safety Assurance (FSA), the Juba Monitoring and Verification Team (MVT) could not join the planned United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) integrated patrol that departed for Wonduruba on November 12. CTSAMVM urges all entities responsible for supporting its operations to collaborate and provide their full assistance at all times to ensure a timely response to investigate violations,” he said.
“Further, CTSAMVM reiterates that clause 2.1.10.6 of the R-ARCSS prohibits parties from limiting movement and access restrictions on CTSAMVM personnel when performing their duties as prescribed by its mandate. Article 11 paragraph 5 of the ACoH obligates the Signatory Parties to cooperate with it in the discharge of its functions and to allow and grant unhindered access to monitor all areas under control, while Article 12 prohibits obstruction or interference with the movements and work of CTSAMVM. We urge the parties to ensure compliance,” he stressed.
Lt Gen Rabi Mujung, who represents the Incumbent Transitional Government of National Unity (ITGoNU), expressed disappointment with the interference with CTSAMVM’s work.
“As CTC members, we are disappointed with the cancellation of some of the CTSAMVM activities for reasons you might have not detailed, but CTSAMVM has a clear mandate to carry out and to support the parties in the implementation of the agreement and also to reflect the progress of the implementation to the international community as well as the national in South Sudan,” Gen Mujung said
Senior Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition Representative to the CTSAMVM Maj Gen Andrea Mangu called for the deployment of the unified forces, noting that the forces at the cantonment sites were frustrated with the delay.