Military observers dispatched by East African states to South Sudan have begun to deploy in order to monitor the ceasefire that was signed between the two warring factions in the country in January.
Observers are deployed under the auspices of IGAD, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development. The regional body on 25 March stated that both sides to the conflict are in ‘flagrant breach’ of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, urging them to recommit to the agreement.
In another statement today, the regional organization announced that its Monitoring and Verification Teams have commenced operations in South Sudan.
“The first team was deployed to Bor, in Jonglei State on 1 April followed by similar deployments in Bentiu (in Unity State) on 5 April. Deployment to Malakal (in Upper Nile State) is projected on 15 April,” stated IGAD.
There is also a plan to deploy more teams to Nassir, Akobo and other areas in the near future, the organization disclosed.
IGAD has set up a Joint Technical Committee to oversee the monitoring teams. This committee has taken up headquarters in Juba. Its members include representatives of the IGAD member states, the parties to the conflict, the African Union, UN and other nations backing IGAD.
The ceasefire monitors are responsible for “assessing, monitoring, investigating, verifying and reporting allegations of violations against the Cessation of Hostilities,” according to the press release.