South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
The Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the attacks by armed groups on civilians in Western Equatoria State.
Maj. Gen Yitayal Gelaw Bitew, Chairperson of CTSAMVM said during meeting of the body that monitors the ceasefire in Juba, that attacks on civilians from different communities by armed groups in the State have spiked, sparking widespread fear in the population.
He noted that widespread killings have not had major impact on the permanent ceasefire which continues to hold largely since 2017.
Gelaw said that among those killed in the recent attacks include paramount chief of Ezo County.
In a similar development, Gelaw said that the National Salvation Front (NAS) led by Gen. Thomas Cirilo Swaka, is carrying out massive recruitment among youths in Yei River County of Central Equatoria State.
“CTSAMVM has further noted an upsurge of activities suspected to be conducted by the National Salvation Army around areas of Yei County, where recruitment of youths to NAS has been reported,” he said.
Gelaw said that in early June, suspected NAS elements ambushed a commercial vehicle at Loka Boma in Lainya County, killing the driver and injuring an escort soldier from the SSPDF.
“Such incidents affect the implementation of the ongoing peace process in South Sudan,” he said.
