The Joint Defence Board has formed a seven-member committee comprising of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), and the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) to investigate recent clashes in Maiwut County of South Sudan’s Upper Nile State.
Forces loyal to the SSPDF and the SPLM-IO fought early this month in Turrow and Jakou villages of Maiwut County leaving civilians displaced.
Addressing a press conference, the SSPDF spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang said the committee is headed by Major General Deng Manyang Leer from SSPDF and deputized by Brigadier General Doboal Both Luak from the SPLM-IO to investigate the clashes.
He said that the spokespersons of the two forces have been encouraged to ‘cease hostile media’ and allow the committee to investigate the matter.
Meanwhile, Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO), says that the violation of the ceasefire is a clear indicator that implementation of the security arrangements is key to achieving peace.
“We can’t attain political stability in this country quickly,” Yakani said. “Without the Disarmament and Demobilisation and Rehabilitation (DDR) process now, the country will face instability from those soldiers that are supposed to be disarmed demobilized and reintegrated. It is high time for us to take a holistic approach for working on the transitional security arrangements.”