The Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM),said its monitoring team was denied access to Wau Shilluk area in South Sudan's Upper Nile State by government soldiers.

In line with the signed peace agreement, the CTSAMM is tasked with the monitoring of the implementation of the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements (PCTSA).

In a statement seen by Radio Tamazuj on Monday, CTSAMM said it had planned and coordinated a patrol to Wau Shilluk to be executed on 10 February 2017, but due to a mortar attack in Wau Shilluk during the early morning, the patrol was delayed to 16 February 2017.

"However later that morning, the MVT was denied freedom of movement while trying to reach Wau Shilluk when the SPLA 2nd Division Command informed the MVT that their mission scheduled for Wau Shilluk was cancelled," partly reads the statement.

The ceasefire monitoring body pointed out that its team was planning to verify allegations of violations of the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements (PCTSA) in the corridor between Malakal and Renk, including Wau Shilluk.

However, the CTSAMM further said its team remains in the area waiting for access to be granted to conduct its mission in Wau Shilluk area.

The CTSAMM also condemned in the strongest terms, the denial of freedom of movement for its monitoring team.

The ceasefire monitoring body called on the unity government to intervene in this issue to ensure that its team can visit Wau Shilluk to conduct its mission.

Photo: CTSAMM Chairman Major General Molla Hailemariam. Credit: UNMISS/JC McIlwaine