Both parties to the conflict in South Sudan have expressed commitment to honour an agreement made Friday to stop fighting. There were no independent reports of significant clashes on the day after the signing, nor did either side yet claim the other violated the agreement.

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and ousted vice president Riek Machar signed Friday the ‘Agreement to Resolve the Crisis in South Sudan,’ committing to immediately cease all hostile activities and participate instead in a peaceful political process toward formation of a new interim government.

The agreement ‘re-dedicated’ the parties to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement of 23 January. Kiir and Machar agreed to cease hostile activities, disengage their forces from each other, and refrain from provocative actions or combat movements.

Kiir and Machar must “issue orders to all their respective commands and units, on signing of the agreement, instructing full and immediate cessation of hostilities,” according to the text of the agreement.

Radio Tamazuj on Saturday contacted both armies – SPLA and SPLA-IO – to find out whether they had been ordered to stop fighting. Neither side could yet confirm with any specificity whether commanders had been ordered to stand down.

Yet spokesmen of both forces confirmed they were aware of the agreement and were expecting to receive formal directives in accordance with its terms.

SPLA

Minister of Defense Kuol Manyang Juuk has reportedly welcomed the news of the ceasefire on Saturday morning, saying the government forces will definitely comply with the agreement.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, SPLA Spokesperson Col. Philip Aguer said, “The agreement will be implemented definitely. I did not come across the agreement (yet), but the usual way of doing it is by communicating the framework of the ceasefire to all the forces uniformly.”

Aguer said there is no doubt that the agreement will be implemented because it was signed by the highest authority.

He also noted that since the agreement was signed the SPLA forces have held their positions. He said his office received no reports of fighting since the signing of the deal.

SPLA-IO

Lul Ruai, spokesman of the SPLA-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO), said their forces on the ground still did not receive any directives from the opposition leadership on Saturday.

But he said as soon as they received instructions they will act according to the directives. He said their forces are aware of the need to stop all forms of violence within 24 hours of the signing.

Meanwhile, ceasefire monitors of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) are planning to verify by the end of the week whether orders to stop fighting have been received at different command levels.

Civil society welcome deal

Representatives of the South Sudan National Platform for Peace and Reconciliation (NPPR), including Peace Commission Chairman Chuol Rambang, have welcomed the agreement.

“We welcome the news and we hope that it will be fully implemented and that it marks not only the end to the conflict and spilling the blood of our people, but the beginning of peace and reconciliation for our nation,” he said.

He was speaking at a news conference in Juba organized by Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), a civil society group.

He said that NPPR leaders urge the leadership, commanders and all combatants to fully adhere to the agreement. He also urged both sides to allow unhindered humanitarian access to affected areas.

Chuol also welcomed the signing of the final agreement between the government and another smaller rebel group, the South Sudan Democratic Movement/Army Cobra faction led by Gen. David Yau Yau.

The deal with the smaller Pibor-based group received less attention than the one made the same day with Machar’s group. It seals a ceasefire and draft agreement made with the group earlier this year.

“We trust that the signing of the both agreements will herald in a newfound spirit of reconciliation and tolerance between our leaders and people and the Platform will continue push them,” Chuol added.

Edmund Yakani, speaking on behalf of CEPO, likewise welcomed the agreement and encouraged the leaders to commit themselves to its implementation. 

Photo: Riek Machar and Salva Kiir hand over signed versions of the Agreement to Resolve the Crisis in South Sudan, 9 May 2014