Ceasefire Monitors Warn Political Parties Against Moves That Could Further Destabilise South Sudan

By Awan Achiek

The Ceasefire & Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring & Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) on Tuesday called on political parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further worsen the country’s security situation.

Speaking during the 60th CTSAMVM Board Meeting in Juba on Tuesday, Maj. Gen. Hailu Endashaw, Chairperson of CTSAMVM, said this was aimed at maintaining stability, protecting civilians, and creating conditions conducive to the country’s political and electoral processes.

“The Parties exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could further deteriorate the security situation across the country,” Endashaw said.

He emphasized the need to enhance public confidence by ensuring that civilians can move freely and access essential services without fear or obstruction.

“The measures are strengthened to protect civilians, guarantee freedom of movement, and secure key civilian and humanitarian routes to enhance public confidence and facilitate humanitarian access.”

Endashaw said the board meeting would discuss reports of armed confrontations between the SSPDF and SPLM/A-IO in Burbiey and Jikmir, Nasir County, Upper Nile State.

“The second concerns the reported SPLM/A-IO attack in Atende Boma, Central Equatoria State, including the reported looting of property and the abduction of a Boma sub-chief and four youths.”

He said the security environment had remained unpredictable in Jonglei, Upper Nile, Warrap, and Central Equatoria states amid armed confrontations and communal violence.

He said renewed confrontations involving organized forces, continued mobilization of armed youth, and intercommunal violence had intensified their impact on civilians, leading to displacement, restrictions on freedom of movement, and growing challenges to humanitarian access.

Endashaw said the mechanism had received a report of road insecurity in Central Equatoria, which he said continued to pose risks, with reported ambushes and attacks affecting civilians.

“On 26 and 27 September, civilians and mourners travelling along the Mundri-Juba main road were attacked, resulting in one civilian being wounded, some mourners being abducted, and vehicles being set on fire; some of the abducted persons were subsequently released, while others were not.”

“In Upper Nile, the situation remained particularly concerning in Ulang and Nasir, where reported clashes involving the SSPDF, SPLM/A-IO, and the White Army resulted in casualties, displacement, and restrictions on civilian movement.”

He said violence involving armed youth in Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area continued to affect local communities.

He added that the reported shooting of civilians at the Bentiu Protection of Civilians site in Unity State highlighted persistent concerns over civilian protection.

He said intercommunal violence in Tonj North, Warrap State, along with further killings in Gogrial East, underscored the continued risk of retaliatory attacks and renewed intercommunal clashes.

“CTSAMVM will continue to monitor these developments independently and impartially, engage the Parties through established mechanisms, and provide objective reporting in support of Chapter II of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.”