East African mediators of South Sudan’s peace process have ‘strongly condemned’ an attack carried out on Sunday by SPLM-IO rebels, which resulted in the capture of Nasir town in eastern Upper Nile.

The IGAD mediation team is headed by three special envoys – one Ethiopian, one Kenyan and one Sudanese. They are supported by ceasefire monitoring teams that include military officers of those three countries besides several Western powers, which are backing the peace process financially and politically.

The mediators confirmed in a press release yesterday that the SPLM-IO rebels attacked Nasir, referring to a report by IGAD ceasefire monitors in the town that “the SPLM/A–In Opposition forces crossed the Sobat River from the East.”

A military spokesman of SPLM-IO had claimed their troops were first attacked on the outskirts of the town and only entered the town while pursuing fleeing SPLA soldiers.

The IGAD envoys said they “strongly condemn this attack in Nasir by forces of the SPLM/A–In Opposition,” adding that the attack was a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement.

The mediators noted the attack was carried out in spite of the 10 June agreement, in which Riek Machar and Salva Kiir pledged to “end the war now” and form a transitional government within 60 days.

Since the 10 June summit, Kiir’s and Machar’s forces have attacked several towns, including Nhialdiu and Nasir.

IGAD mediators say they are “saddened by the continued loss of lives not only of combatants but of vulnerable groups like women and children.”

UN: ‘Most serious hostilities’ since May

The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) issued a similar statement to the IGAD one, saying “this attack represents the most serious resumption of hostilities” since 9 May, when the two sides recommitted to a ceasefire agreement.

The peacekeepers said the attack “was carried out by opposition forces comprised of a mixture of armed youths and defected SPLA soldiers (SPLA in Opposition) loyal to former Vice President, Mr. Riek Machar Teny.”

“The attack is a clear violation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement,” the UN mission stated.

Acting UNMISS chief Raisedon Zenenga noted also the attack was launched “in total disrespect” of the presence of the IGAD ceasefire monitors in Nasir.

Meeting with Machar

The attack on Nasir yesterday comes just after the chief mediator reached a reported understanding with the SPLM-IO chairman Riek Machar on how to move forward the peace process.

IGAD’s statement notes, “It is regrettable that this incident has come at a time when the mediation team just concluded consultations with the leadership of the SPLM/A–In Opposition in Addis Ababa, on how to operationalize the signed Agreements and move the peace process forward.”

This was a reference to the chief mediator’s meeting last week with rebel leader Riek Machar at the latter’s home in Addis Ababa.

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