South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The representative of the former political detainees, Maj. Gen Bior Leek has challenged the credibility of violation reports released by the Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring Verification Mechanism [CTSAMVM].
Bior said on Friday during the technical meeting of CTSAMVM members in Juba, that most of the reports lack evidence, alleging that they are based on media reports.
This came after the Chairperson of CTSAMVM, Maj.Gen Yitayal Gelaw Bitew highlighted violations in Western Equatoria State, where SSPDF members were killed.
Bior called on CTSAMVM to provide justifications in the next meeting.
“There are so many violations that have been carried out by the National Salvation Front (NAS) and for the past five years we are not sure where CTSAMVM is sourcing these reports. They are not directed nor signed by anyone, rather CTSAMVM seems to be picking reports from the media,” he said.
Bior urged CTSAMVM to present critical reports on violations so that all parties engage in constructive dialogue and determine a way forward.
He asserted, “SSPDF is tasked with defending the country, so they have the right to engage with NAS at any time to stop all violations in the country.”
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of CTSAMVM, Maj. Gen Yitayal Gelaw Bitew, confirmed the ongoing violations by NAS in both Western Equatoria and Central Equatoria State.
“I am relieved to report a marked downturn in National Salvation Front activity, particularly within Western Equatoria, while Central Equatoria continues to endure NAS operations, which are largely confined to criminal enterprises,” Bitew said.
He also called for speedy reinforcement of resources to facilitate the deployment of more unified forces across the country.
The incumbent senior representative of ITGoNU, Lt. Gen Rabi Mujung, expressed the government’s disappointment with the hostile actions of NAS, and urged the latter to engage the government through peaceful means of ending the conflict.
“We (parties) are really disappointed with the hostile activities of NAS and urge them to resort to peaceful means of conflict resolution,” Mujung said.