South Sudan’s ceasefire monitoring body, the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), on Thursday, revealed that there is a new recruitment and training by South Sudan’s People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, in violation of the peace agreement.

Speaking during the CTSAMVM Technical Committee meeting at the Beijing Hotel in Juba, Maj. Gen. Hailu Gonfa Eddosa, the CTSAMVM Chairperson, said they have a report on the alleged recruitment of soldiers by SSPDF in Mathiang Barracks in Aweil town, North Bahr el Ghazal State.

“We have one report to discuss today, which involves the alleged recruitment of soldiers by SSPDF in Mathiang Barracks in Aweil town, North Bahr el Ghazal State,” Gonfa said.  

“CTSAMVM highly values your opinions and recommendations. I ask you all to focus on the information and reports and discuss them cordially and professionally. Most importantly, come up with realistic solutions to protect the ceasefire and the people of South Sudan,” he added.

The CTSAMVM chair said the ceasefire monitors remain concerned about reports of tension in Tambura County, Western Equatorial State, that has put the lives of many innocent South Sudanese at risk and welcomed the decision of the Western Equatoria State Governor to deploy a security force to de-escalate the tension in that area.

He also said there were incidents of reported violence perpetrated by suspected elements of the National Salvation Front (NAS) in Mundri County of Western Equatoria State.

“Especially in Minga and Wiro Payam where about 6,000 people in Minga Payam were displaced to Kediba Payam, Mundri East County, and Rokon in Central Equatoria State.”

Gonfa welcomed the decision by President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Deputy Riek Machar Teny to initiate the training of unified forces in phase two within the next two weeks. He said with regard to the implementation of the pre-transitional tasks, CTSAMVM has observed no change in the status of cantonment sites and training centers, where commanders are still reporting a lack of logistic support.

The CTSAMVM chair expressed concern about the continual occupation of civilian buildings by parties to the peace agreement.

 “CTSAMVM remains concerned about the continual occupation of civilian buildings by forces. CTSAMVM reminds SSPDF to plan to vacate those areas and urges the Joint Defense Board to deploy the Necessary Unified Forces correctly,” he said. 

Responding to the alleged recruitment, Lt. Gen Rabi Mujung Emmanuel, Senior ITGoNU representative to the CTSAMVM, denied any form of new training and recruitments in Aweil, saying what is going on is just refresher training. 

“It is a matter of refresher training or any kind of training to be conducted by the defence or any other organized forces. This is just a normal activity, and it is in accordance with the agreement, he said   

Gen. Mujung called on opposition forces, including the National Salvation Front (NAS), to join the peace process so that South Sudanese can enjoy peace. 

“The NAS activities led to the displacement of more than 6,000 civilians. Our message to the NAS leadership is that there must be an end to everything, and I think the time has come for brothers and sisters, whoever is in the opposition, to come to their senses and then talk to the government to at least reach to a peaceful settlement so that the people of this country enjoy their lives,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Jany Kaway Yoakhor, a representative of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), said the recruitment and training by the SSPDF in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State is a violation of the 2018 peace agreement. 

“Regarding the report of recruitment by the SSPDF in Mathiang Barrack of Aweil, it is a complete violation because the peace agreement stipulated that after the unified forces have been deployed, all the army should be unified so there is no need for recruitment in Mathiang Aweil without the knowledge of the other parties,” he concluded.