(JUBA) – The Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) George Aggrey Owinow, has called on the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) to immediately stop fighting and fully respect the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements under the peace deal.
The appeal followed heavy clashes in Yei River County last week that left at least 17 soldiers dead. The fighting broke out after a joint force of SPLA-IO and the National Salvation Front Tactical Command (NAS-TC) launched attacks on SSPDF bases in Lasu and Libogo.
Maj. Gen. Owinow, who is a retired Kenyan general, delivered his message virtually to the United Nations Security Council on Monday. He warned that both sides must urgently respect the terms of the ceasefire and avoid actions that could push the country back into widespread conflict.
He pointed out that there have been reports of clashes not only between SSPDF and SPLA-IO but also with their allied groups in different regions of the country. He also noted that the deployment of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) under a bilateral arrangement has raised concerns among some signatories to the 2018 peace agreement.
The peace monitor stressed that the use of violence, including recent aerial bombardments by the SSPDF in SPLA-IO-held areas, cantonment sites and training centres, directly violates the permanent ceasefire.
He said that the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) remains the foundation for building peace in the country. Since it was signed in September 2018, he added, the accord has delivered relative calm and stability in many parts of the country.
“RJMEC would like to remind this esteemed Council that the R-ARCSS, despite its challenges, has restored relative peace across the country, bringing numerous peace dividends since its signing in September 2018. It would be tragic if the gains of the R-ARCSS to date were lost beyond restoration,” Gen. Owinow said.
He urged the United Nations Security Council to use its influence to safeguard the implementation of the peace agreement, stressing that failure to address the current hostilities could undermine years of progress and risk dragging South Sudan back into full scale war.
Peace Monitor Calls on SSPDF and SPLA-IO to Stop Yei Fighting
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Location of Fighting | Yei River County, Central Equatoria |
| Casualties | At least 17 soldiers reported dead |
| Trigger of Violence | SPLA-IO and NAS-TC attacked SSPDF bases in Lasu and Libogo |
| Peace Monitor’s Appeal | SSPDF and SPLA-IO urged to respect ceasefire and peace arrangements |
| Additional Concern | UPDF deployment into South Sudan contested by some peace partners |
| Ceasefire Violations | Reports of aerial bombardments and renewed fighting across multiple regions |
| Peace Deal Reference | Revitalized Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS), signed in September 2018 |
| Main Warning | Risk of reversing peace gains and returning the country to armed conflict |
