The South Sudan Unified Forces Command has formed and dispatched a five-member investigative committee to probe recent clashes in parts of Upper Nile State. 

In recent months, the South Sudan People Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the South Sudan People's Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) have clashed in the Jekou, Pagak, Turu, and Longechuk areas in Upper Nile.

A statement dated May 9 and seen by Radio Tamazuj states that the SSPDF Chief of Defence General Santino Deng Wol Chok formed a high-level committee comprised of peace partners to investigate the incidents that led to the clashes. 

Maj. Gen. Michael Majok Chan of SSPDF was appointed chairperson of the committee and deputized by Brig. Gen. Ambrose Kic Nyang Kic. Col. Gai Tek Ruathdel of SSPDF-MI was appointed as committee secretary while Col. Willliam Deng Aguer of SSOA and Lt. Col. James Khor Mayian of SPLA-IO-MI are members.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Lul Ruai Koang said the team had already been dispatched for duty and is expected to report in seven days. 

"The committee has been formed by the Unified Command to go and investigate the fighting which has occurred in the areas of Jekou, Pagak, Longechuk, and Turu. They left on Tuesday," Koang said. 

According to the statement, the committee is also mandated to interview any officer or persons believed to have facts and examine materials that will benefit the investigations.

The unified command was formed last month following tensions between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and SPLM/A-IO leader Riek Machar following continuous violent confrontations, creating fears of a possible return to war. 

Asked why unified forces have not graduated, Gen. Koang said the Joint Defence Board faces financial challenges. 

"We are still facing some financial challenges in transporting food, medical supplies, and uniforms to the training sites. But the chief of general staff has promised to call for a meeting soon so that we can see the way forward in regards to the graduation of forces," he added. 

In early April, the parties signed a matrix for the creation of a unified armed forces command. They also agreed to graduate and deploy the unified forces in training camps within a period not exceeding two months.

The graduation of Necessary Unified Forces will be a significant step forward for the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.