South Sudan’s main opposition group led by Riek Machar has warned against utterances and conduct that may derail the peace agreement.
South Sudan's president, Salva Kiir, signed a final peace deal with several opposition leaders in September but it is not yet clear if the agreement will hold.
Briefing the press in Juba on Friday, SPLA-IO’s deputy spokesman Lam Paul Gabriel raised the alarm on increasing negative comments about the signed peace agreement.
“The SPLA-IO is aware of doubts and dissatisfaction from some South Sudanese politicians and some members of the international community about the peace agreement,” he said.
“We are urging them strongly to give us a [chance] to implement the peace agreement. They shouldn’t work against peace in favor of an insurgent by always talking against the peace agreement,” he added.
The opposition officer further said they will not tolerate negative opinions about the peace deal. Lam insisted that the September peace accord will hold. “This peace is real and is going to work,” he said.
Lam has renewed calls to holdout rebel groups to renounce violence and join the peace process.” We are calling on our brothers from the holdout groups who are currently causing insecurity to join us to implement the peace agreement instead of causing more unrest,” he said.
The deputy military spokesman pointing out that the signed security arrangements deal could guarantee peace and stability in South Sudan. Lam added that the responsibility of security and stability of the country lies solely with the peace partners. “We are going to make joint patrols in areas where there is insecurity,” he said.
On Wednesday, South Sudan army said more military action possible against rebel fighters led by the former army general Thomas Cirillo Swaka in the Equatoria region. Army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang said the army will take action against NAS rebels if they do not accept peace.