October 24th 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – South Sudan’s army, the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) have agreed to establish direct contacts between rival field commanders in areas of combat to help stop the ongoing defiance against ceasefire agreement signed in June this year.
President Salva Kiir Mayardiit and opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon in June this year signed a permanent ceasefire agreement in the Sudanese capital Khartoum amidst a then intense peace talks in the Sudanese capital between rival parties.
The decision to create a direct contact between SPLA-IO Generals and South Sudan army was reached during a meeting, in Khartoum on Tuesday, between South Sudan’s Army Chief, Gen. Jok Riak and SPLA-IO Chief of General Staffs Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual.
SPLM-IO deputy chairperson of national committee for information and public relations had informed the Nyamilepedia of the meeting on Tuesday evening saying the two army chiefs are meeting in the Sudanese capital to recommit to the permanent ceasefire and establish direct contract between field commanders.
“The two Chief of Staffs of the government and that of the SPLA-IO are meeting now as I speak to you. They started their meeting around 7:00 pm Sudanese local time and they will recommit to the ceasefire agreement and establish direct contact between field commanders,” Manawa told the Nyamilepedia.
This morning, a high profile figure from the South Sudan government told the Nyamilepedia from the Sudanese capital Khartoum on the condition of anonymity that the two Generals have agreed to establish direct contact with field commanders and recommit to ceasefire agreement.
“The two men from both sides have agreed to make a direct contact between SPLA-IO and South Sudan forces and number two, they have recommit themselves to the fragile ceasefire agreement,” the source told the Nyamilepedia.
He said SPLA-IO chief of general staffs complained that they are being attacked by South Sudan army which he said aimed at dislodging opposition troops in important areas the government believes are strategic.
