December 24th 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – The office of South Sudan’s president has been blamed by an ex-lawmaker for the lack of services – including food – at cantonment sites in different parts of the country.
President Salva Kiir and opposition groups signed a revitalized peace deal last year to end the war which provides for the formation of what would be the Reconstituted Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU).
As part of the agreement, forces belonging to the parties were to be assembled at cantonment sites to avoid ceasefire violations and to enable for reunification of the forces under one national army.
In an email to Nyamilepedia, Wol Deng Atak, former lawmaker for Tonj county and ex-SPLM party official, said the office of the president was making interference that affects the delivery of food item to the cantonment sites.
“Designated cantonment sites cantoning soldiers belonging to [the] warring parties which signed peace accord are empty of soldiers because they are being deserted. Soldiers are simply starving due to the lack of food,” he said in the email.
“Impeccable sources inside the government say shortage results from the meddling by the office of President Salva Kiir Mayardit with department verifying food supply to the army. The office thereof also interferes with the process of awarding contract,” he added.
He appealed to President Salva Kiir to “takes its hands off contracts and verifications relating to the army or any other institutions that are not related to its running.”
