Ceasefire Monitors accused of siding with international community

Maj. Gen. Bior Leek Kuareng, representative of Former Political Detainees (FDs) in CTSAMVM on Thursday, 18 July 2024 (Photo by Awan Achiek)

By Awan Achiek

Some representatives of the parties at the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), have accused their chairman, Maj. Gen. Yitayal Gelaw Bitew of siding with the international community against national monitors.

Maj. Gen. Bior Leek Kuareng, representative of the Former Political Detainees accused both Maj. Gen. Hailu Gonfa Eddosa, the former chairman of CTSAMVM and the current chairman, Yitayal Gelwa Bitew of suppressing views of South Sudanese nationals with the ceasefire monitoring body.

“We have been suppressed in the CTSAMVM because each and every chairman here, when he came here, he will side with the international community against the national monitors because I have witnessed more than six chairmen here,” Bior said during meeting of the CTSAMVM technical committee in Juba on Thursday.

Bior claimed that there is no transparency in terms employment within CTSAMVM, adding that transparency and accountability for funds is also lacking.

“Our people here are subjected to be third citizens within CTSAMVM, and that’s why last time I raised the issue of the gender office here because that gender office belongs to South Sudanese,” he said.

Lt. Gen Rabi Mujung Emmanuel, the SSPDF representative in CTSAMVM alleged that national monitors are not being treated fairly by top leaders within CTSAMVM.

“We feel that CTSAMVM members from South Sudan are not really treated fairly compared to the rest, though they are all members of this,” Mujung said.