The East African Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has condemned the South Sudanese armed group SPLM-IO for attacking Bentiu yesterday, saying the group is responsible for having started the fighting.
“The IGAD Special Envoys for South Sudan strongly condemn the action of SPLM/A (In Opposition) forces to initiate conflict in the area of Bentiu, Unity State, South Sudan,” reads a statement by the mediators issued on Wednesday evening.
IGAD is the regional body mandated to mediate the peace talks between SPLM-IO and SPLM-Juba, as well as monitor compliance with a ceasefire deal signed by both parties. The region appointed three envoys, one each from Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya, who head the mediation efforts.
In their statement, the envoys noted, “the violence comes at the start of the current session of peace talks in Addis Ababa, and on the eve of the convening of the Assembly of the IGAD Heads of State and Government and, at their specific request, direct negotiations between President Kiir and Dr. Machar.”
Radio Tamazuj was informed yesterday that the SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar arrived in Addis Ababa for the mentioned summit. His spokesman claimed that Machar did not order any attack on Bentiu, saying his forces were still under orders not to attack any city. But he acknowledged reports of the fighting, claiming SPLM-IO may carry out military advances if provoked by enemy attacks.
Mediators say that the fighting in and around Bentiu demonstrates that SPLM-IO “has yet to abandon the option of war,” lamenting that the humanitarian catastrophe throughout South Sudan is further imperiled by this violence.
“The IGAD Envoys call on the forces of the SPLM/A (In Opposition) to immediately cease hostilities, for government forces to demonstrate restraint and for all parties to give peace a chance,” reads the statement.
“The IGAD Envoys renew their call to the parties to adhere to their commitments, particularly the requirements of the CoH Agreement to end the recruitment and mobilization of forces, including that of child soldiers, the acquisition of arms and ammunition, and all possible military provocation.”
File photo: Lazaro Sumbeiywo, a retired Kenyan general, is one of the IGAD special envoys