A senior official of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), who is a member of the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement, Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) has expressed disappointment over repeated ceasefire violations, primarily by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).
Maj Gen. Andrea Mangu Adale, who was speaking during the CTSAMVM board meeting on Tuesday, said the SSPDF has carried out several violations, citing the ongoing intermittent clashes in Western Equatoria State and other parties of the country where SPLA-IO forces have come under attack. He warned that such incidents pose a serious threat to the fragile peace currently in place.
“First of all, I would like to appreciate the (Mechanism’s) leadership for calling us today (Tuesday) for this meeting so that we can express our view,” he said. “As SPLA-IO, we should not have come to this meeting since the peace has already been dismantled by our partner SSPDF. We have seen several violations against our forces in the containment sites and even on civilians all around.”
Gen. Mangu added: “SSPDF has gone further up to Western Bhar el Gazal without consulting the authorities there and clashes that took place at Bou Bridge extending up to Jur River County.”
He disclosed that the clashes in Jur River County led to the burning of civilian settlements and properties.
“They (SSPDF) went to a checkpoint of SPLA-IO and found one personnel from SPLA-IO in the uniform of National Security and captured him. They went so far as to engage in exchanging fire, which led to the burning of many houses and displaced so many people. It was unfortunate, and it is just agony to mention the things done by SSPDF because we have talked about them several times,” Mangu explained. “With such violations, it is a clear sign that SPLM-IO is not accepted in this country. Right now, they are beating around the bush, and I am sure that tomorrow, it (fighting) will come here to Juba.”
He asked what the Mechanism was doing about the breaches and urged the peace monitors to ensure every violation was documented.
“With the Mechanism, when we call for meetings, we get no one here, and this means that we have disappeared already. As CTSAMVM leadership, what will be your role? What kind of peace are we implementing?” he asked and added: “Sincerely speaking, all this is just only to prolong our position, prolong our system so that no one may intervene. In fact, at this moment, we are frustrated and urge CTSAMVM leadership to take action.”
For his part, Maj. Gen. Rabi Murjang, the SSPDF representative at the Mechanism, also expressed regret over the reports of violations.
“We regret to hear of the continuous clashes between the parties in the agreement as well. However, we would like to remind the parties to the agreement that for the last six years, we have been abiding by the provisions of the agreement on the cessation of hostilities, and I think we are almost concluding the R-ACRSS, which will be concluded by the elections,” he said. “We urge the parties to refrain from all these violations and to discuss and resolve issues amicably. We are also disappointed to hear the reports from various communities regarding the continuous clashes between the parties.”