December 21st 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – The Joint Defence Board (JDB) said on Thursday that it condemns reported harassment against peace monitors by government troops near the capital Juba.
On Tuesday, members of the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) were assaulted and detained by soldiers of the South Sudan army with a female officer from Ethiopia forced to work naked.
“The Board was informed of an incident indicating that some of the CTSAMVM members were harassed by some members of Government forces (NSS) at Luri, and that CTSAMVM reported the incident to the international community before informing the Government,” the join military body said in a statement issued on Thursday.
The statement further said the incident is under investigation and those found guilty of the crime will be jailed condemning the incident.
“This matter is under investigation and appropriate measures will be taken against the suspects,” the statement said adding that “The Board strongly condemns the act of harassment and promises to bring the culprits into the full force of the law.”
The statement further apologized and urged the peace monitors to work hand in hand with relevant authorities to avoid similar incidents I. The future.
“We also conveys our sincere apologies to the victims [and] to avoid such incidents from occurring in the future, the Board urges CTSAMVM on the need to work in coordination with the concern authorities,” said further the statement.
“The Board sees the incident as an isolated case that doesn’t interfere with the implementation of the Peace Agreement,” it added.
The statement was signed by South Sudan’s Chief of Defense force who is also the Chairperson of the JDB Gen. Gabriel Jok Riak and SPLA-IO DCoGS for Operation who is also a co-chairperson of the board.
