“It was a provocative and condemnable act reminiscent of incidents of December 15, 2013; J1 July 8, 2016; and the last week unnecessary parading of the newly acquired heavy weapons and APCs for the National Police, which are still in the streets of Juba. These create terror and panic,” The First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, said.
The First Vice President called the deployment of troops “disruptive”, saying it is weakening trust and confidence building, reconciliation and healing.
“Such an action is disruptive to the peace implementation process and weakens trust and confidence building, reconciliation and healing amongst the people, and dialogue among the parties to Agreement,” Machar said in the statement.
Machar strongly emphasized how such exercise is endangering the entire peace agreement and sending shock-waves across the country and internationally.
“It creates doubts nationally, regionally and internationally and reflects very poorly on the commitment of the parties to resolve their issues peacefully” Machar said.
“The deployment throughout the night created unnecessary tension and panic amongst the immediate neighbors, the citizens in Juba, the rest of the country and worldwide.”He added.
Machar elaborates that he was never consulted or informed about the deployment yet the heavily armed troops camped outside his residence from Sunday night until Monday morning.
“On Sunday night March 27, 2022, without prior information, the SSPDF deployed heavy armed forces with Armored Personnel Carriers (APCS) on all the routes leading to my residence, The Residence of The First Vice President. Persons who attempted to go to the residence were turn off by these troops. This deployment was removed only at 6:15 AM this morning March 28, 2022. There is no explanation provided to why this happened,” Dr. Machar said.
Despite, Machar calls on SPLM/A-IO forces to remain calm and continue to observe the cessation of hostilities agreement signed in December 2017 and permanent Ceasefire as stipulated in R-ARCSS.
“I want to take this moment to call upon all SPLM/A(IO) forces to remain and observe the cessation of hostilities agreement December 27, 2017 and permanent Ceasefire as stipulated in R-ARCSS” Machar said.
The troubled First Vice President concludes by assuring his forces and the people of South Sudan, region and the international community that his party will not be the one to return the country to war.
“In Conclusion, I reiterate and confirm unequivocally the solemn commitment of SPLM/A(IO) to the people of South Sudan, the Region and the international community at large that the SPLM/A(IO) will not be the one to return the country to war” Machar said
“Finally, the SPLM/A(IO) is committed to the implementation of the Agreement” He concludes
