South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) said on Thursday that military defections are derailing the implementation of the security arrangement in the country.
Maj. Gen Charles Tai Gituai, Interim Chairperson of RJMEC said tension has been reported in Leer County following the defection of Simon Maguek Gai Majak with some 200 soldiers on October 6th from SPLA-IO to the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF)
“In the past few weeks, regrettably, there have been several armed clashes in different parts of the country including Leer and Guit and in Warrap State and the Abyei Administrative Area,” said Gituai during the monthly RJMEC plenary meeting in Juba.
He disclosed that the defectors reportedly attacked SPLA-IO forces based in the area of Kaygaii, leaving several people death and civilian displacement.
“Tensions have been growing in Unity State, following the defection of Gen Simon Maguek from the SPLA-IO supposedly to the SSPDF. Last week, on 28 November, the defectors reportedly attacked SPLA-IO forces based in the area of Kaygaii, causing the loss of life, civilian displacement, and adding to the climate of fear among the local population,” he said.
Gituai said in the past the defections of General Ochan in Upper Nile State, General Lokujo in Central Equatoria State, and General Nando in Western Equatoria State, have resulted in the killing of innocent people, civilian displacement, and loss of livelihoods.
“Military defections are clearly contrary to the Revitalized Agreement, and undermine the implementation of both the Transitional Security Arrangements and the Agreement itself,” he said.
He urged the parties to the 2018 revitalized peace deal to discourage defections and promote the protection of civilians.
“In the context of the ongoing unification of forces, military defections are evidently counterproductive. I would like to remind the Parties to discourage defections and promote the protection of civilians, as per Articles 2.1.8, and 2.1.10,” he said.
At least 6 soldiers including a Brig. Gen were killed on Tuesday, 28th November during conflict involving SPLA-IO splinter group and forces loyal to Dr. Riek Machar Teny.
