December 04, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — Addressing the sixth National Conference of the SPLM/A in Opposition, South Sudan’s First Vice President and the leader of the armed opposition, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, condemns the violations of the Agreement in the country and calls for cessation of hostilities.
“The SSPDF committed these violations” Dr. Machar said.
The First Vice President was referring to violations of the Peace Agreement ranging from the ongoing violations to the past violations in Upper Nile, Western Bahr el Ghazal and parts of Equatoria where the peace agreement has been violated.
“breaches of Permanent Ceasefire and Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) in Maiwut and Maban counties in Upper Nile State, Wau county in Western Bahr El Ghazel State, Tumbura County in Western Equatoria State, lately in Kajokeji county of Central Equatoria State. The SSPDF committed these violations” Machar said.
In addition to military assaults that are being reported on local media outlets, Dr. Machar also tabled political violations within Juba where he feels his powers are either undermined or overshadowed by his opponents who have upper hand in the peace implementation.
“The appointments without consultations and the non-dissolution of ITGONU National Legislature;These violations are a clear demonstration of lack of political will and commitment to implementation of Transitional Security Arrangements” The leader of the armed opposition added.
Machar went on to blame his opponents for tactical delayments of the peace implementation and other challenges such as the coronavirus, floods and intercommunal violences that have rocked the country and paralyzed the implementation of the peace agreement.
“Political and administrative vacuum in the States caused by delays in agreeing on the allocation and application of responsibility sharing at the state and local government levels. This impasse has led to lapse in service delivery, and breakdown of law and order;” Machar said.
“The first case in the country of the coronavirus (Covid19) pandemic was discovered on 5th April 2020. Due to strict measures and protocols introduced to combat this pandemic, Covid 19 impacted negatively on the economy, implementation of the peace Agreement, provision of services, and access to humanitarian assistance.” He added.
“Widespread inter and intra-communal violence and insecurity leading to waves of unrest in Bahr el Ghazel and Upper Nile regions. This phenomenon is clearly a national security threat resulting into of loss of lives and destruction of livelihoods and shifting focus away from the implementation of the peace  Agreement;” Machar continued.
In addition to military and political strategies, and COVID-19 impacts on the economy, Machar went on to point out how floods have contributed to exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation and made delivery of relief services difficult
“Unprecedented floods; seven out of ten states have been affected by the floods causing displacement of over a million people, destruction of homesteads and livelihoods. This disaster has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation and made delivery of relief services difficult as well as voluntary repatriation and resettlement of returnees thus impacting on the  implementation of the Agreement” the leader of the opposition said.
Despite these condemnations, fighting has continued for days in Morota and other parts of Kajo-Keji, and many SPLM/A-IO supporters and sympathizers are blaming Machar and his leadership for failing to hold their rivals in Juba accountable for the actions of these troops at the frontline.
The SPLM/A-IO sixth conference in Juba will continue for another two days; however, the army at the frontline believe that they can be attacked at any time especially in Central Equatoria state for which they threaten to return fire, and fight back if provoked.
