The National Pre-Transitional Committee (NPTC) faces huge logistical challenges, with food delivered to only three of the cantonment sites and to Adok port, South Sudan's ceasefire monitors said.
Gen. Abiche Ageno, chairperson of Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring, Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), said that the full process of cantonment requires the wholehearted commitment of resources by NPTC.
Abiche made the remarks on Monday while addressing the 13th technical committee meeting of the CTSAMVM in Juba.
The chairman of the ceasefire monitoring body also said 33 of the 35 cantonment sites have been assessed and only 31 of them were found suitable for the forces at the time the verification was done.
“At the time of assessment, 31 were found to be suitable and 2 were unsuitable due to lack of water or suitable location. Some cantonment sites will need to be reassessed because of the wet season,” Abiche said.
Abiche further said despite challenges posed by the rainy season, a number of civilian buildings have been vacated by the South Sudan army (SSPDF) and the National Security Service (NSS).
Abiche pointed out that 36 buildings are still being occupied by government troops.
“These figures change daily as the CTSAMVM is constantly monitoring and updating our data as our teams gather and verify information,” he said.
The CTSAMVM is mandated by the regional bloc (IGAD) to monitor and verify the implementation of the revitalized peace deal.
Steps toward key benchmarks in the peace deal – unifying armed forces and drawing boundaries – are lagging far behind schedule due to lack of funds.