South Sudan’s ceasefire monitors on Monday said the cantonment process – a critical foundation for enabling security arrangements – is lagging far behind schedule due to logistical challenges.
Under the terms of the revitalized peace deal, the rival parties are to create a unified army and settle disputes over the number and boundaries of states before a transitional government could be formed on 12 November.
However, while addressing the 16th CTSAMVM technical committee meeting in Juba, CTSAMVM Chairman Major General Desta Abiche Ageno noted challenges of registration as well as reports of registered forces abandoning cantonment sites due to lack of basic supplies.
“Many cantonment sites including Ashwa, Wunaleit and Pieri reported to CTSAMVM that they have not received enough forms with which to register forces, further delaying the process,” he said.
“The lack of sufficient logistic support to cantonment sites – especially food and medicine – has not been addressed and CTSAMVM is observing many of those registered forces now leaving designated sites including MirMir, Kendila, Sue, Ngo Alimah and Pantiit,” Ageno added.
He further said CTSAMVM has not witnessed the training of the necessary unified forces including the VIP protection forces, despite the training of about 1,500 trainers in Mapel and Luri.
Ageno stated that government forces have not reported to their barracks as agreed, “Apart from in Renk, no outlying SSPDF units have moved into the designated SSPDF Cantonment Barracks.”
Separately, the ceasefire monitoring body pointed out that it is disappointed at the continued occupation of civilian buildings by forces.
“The SSPDF has occupied the Bangoro Psychiatric Hospital near Yambio. Only 3 buildings have been vacated – government forces have vacated 2 buildings in the Wau area and 1 in Lobonok. 33 buildings remain occupied by government forces and 4 by the SPLM/A-IO,” Ageno said insisting that the continued occupation is a violation of the peace agreement.