Ceasefire monitors to shut down field offices due to funding shortfall

By Awan Achiek

The Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) on Tuesday revealed plans to shut down operations of its monitoring and verification teams (MVTs) in Torit and Bor due to financial constraints.

“At the last Board Meeting I reported the challenges being faced by CTSAMVM due to the reduction in donor support. We are planning to close two monitoring and verification teams,” Maj. Gen. Hailu Gonfa Eddosa, the Chairman of CTSAMVM said during the board meeting held in Juba.

Gonfa said that the closure of the two field offices will create further challenges for CTSAMVM.

“MVTs in Torit and Bor are in the process of being closed, although I can assure you that these areas will continue to be covered by other MVTs,” he said.

He disclosed that they have already reduced the monitoring and verifications teams from 8 to 6 across the country.

“CTSAMVM is now reduced to 6 MVTs – the same number it had when it first constituted the MVM in 2014 at a time when the situation was far more challenging than it is now.”

“We have a robust and flexible operations team, and I am confident that CTSAMVM will be able to continue to operate effectively,” Gonfa said.

In 2021, the government took over the responsibility of paying the national monitors in CTSAMVM.

The government disbursed $295,200 to CTSAMVM to clear arrears of its national monitors after the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) –the body which mediated the peace deal declined to pay South Sudan nationals on ceasefire teams.

On July 15, 2022, the U.S. government cut off its financial support for RJMEC and CTSAMVM due to a lack of progress on the implementation of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.