SSPDF forces still occupy civilian buildings in Yei River State- ceasefire monitors

 

October 3rd 2019 (Nyamilepedia)-At the 15th Meeting of the CTSAMVM Technical Committee held on Wednesday in the capital Juba, the ceasefire monitoring body, CTSAMM, reported that the SSPDF troops still occupy four schools located near Yei River State, bringing the number of occupied civilian buildings to 39.

“On the occupation of civilian buildings, I regret to inform you that four more buildings have been occupied since we last met. The Lora Primary School, Ronyi Primary School, Jambu Primary School and Wuktebi Primary School – all near Yei – are now occupied by government forces. Only two buildings have been vacated – by the SSPDF in Nimule and in Moli Tokuro, both reported by our MVT in Torit. This brings the total number of occupied civilian buildings to 39,” said CTSAMM Chairman Maj. Gen. Desta Abiche Ageno in an opening remark.

The Chairman of CTSAMM, Abiche, called on all Parties involved – particularly government forces – to safely vacate the civilian buildings or else it could be considered a breach of the R-ARCSS.

“35 of these buildings – mainly schools and health centres – are occupied by government forces and 4 by the SPLM/A-IO. The failure to vacate these buildings demonstrates a lack of commitment to the peace process. CTSAMVM advises the parties to consider the occupation of each building as a violation, representing a total of 39 violations in all,” he added.

Occupation of civilian buildings as stipulated in Chapter II of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), is considered as one of the flagrant violations of the peace deal signed by the Parties.

South Sudan’s peace partners are expected to fully implement all critical pending tasks of the agreement before the formation of a Transitional Government of National Unity scheduled for 12 November.

In the past few months, the IGAD Council of Ministers’ set a timeframe that, at least 50 per cent of the 83,000 Necessary Unified Forces should be cantoned and barracked, trained and deployed by 30 September, however, the deadline has now passed.