South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
The South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) is establishing secret training camps and illegally recruiting soldiers in Central Equatoria State, said ceasefire monitors on Thursday in Juba.
Maj. Gen Yitayal Gelaw Bitew, Chairperson of the Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) claimed that hidden training facilities have been set up in various locations in Central Equatoria State.
“Today (Thursday) we are discussing a report concerning alleged clandestine training and recruitment activities conducted by the SSPDF in Central Equatoria State,” Gelaw said during the opening of the monthly CTSAMVM Board Meeting.
He said the report implicating the SSPDF was compiled by national ceasefire monitors was discussed at the 41st CTSAMVM Board meeting on 23 April 2024.
Gelaw said they were unable to obtain more details due to restricted access to certain areas by SSPDF soldiers.
When contacted for comment, SSPDF spokesperson Maj.Gen Lul Ruai Koang asked for the particular locations of the secret training centers before he could respond.
“You get back to the CTSAMVM and ask them about the specific location that we are doing secret training, and that is when I would be able to respond because in Central Equatoria State, we have 8 Counties. So let him be specific by mentioning the County where we are doing training, and maybe the exact name of the place in that County for me to countercheck and respond,” said Koang.
On May 9, 2024, ceasefire monitors claimed the SSPDF was conducting unlawful recruitment at Mathiang barracks in Aweil town of North Bahr el Ghazal State following two investigations by Sudans Post.
