December 9th 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, has condemned what it said was a “grave” violation of the revitalized peace agreement in which government troops attacked its position in the country’s Upper Nile state.
Over the weekend, fighting between SPLA-IO and government troops took place in parts of Maiwut County displacing many civilians with unknown number of casualties. A SPLA-IO official had told the Nyamilepedia that government troops attacked them in an area in Maiwut County.
In a statement issued on Monday following a consultative meeting in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, the main armed opposition group said they condemns the government action calling it a “grave” violation of the revitalized peace agreement.
“[The SPLM-IO] condemns in the strongest terms possible the recent attack on our areas by SSPDF under General James Ochan Puot in Adar State,” the statement extended to Nyamilepedia partly read.
“This incident is a grave violation of R-ARCSS, it is also a bad faith on the part of the Government.”
The meeting which “reviewed progress and challenges in the peace implementation during the extended 100 days of the Pre-Transitional Period,” also encouraged “the peace mechanisms to move forward on the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
“[The SPLM-IO] regrets that the funds meant for implementation of the agreement has not yet been availed.
“[The SPLM-IO] urges the incumbent government of South Sudan to avail, on time, the remaining funds for the implementation of the pending Pre-Transitional Period activities as per the Agreement.
“[The SPLM-IO] notes with concern the delay in implementation of the outstanding critical tasks and lack of funding. Therefore, urges the Parties to the Agreement, stakeholders, mechanisms and Guarantors to adhere to the letter and spirit of the Agreement.”
The main armed opposition group further urged peace monitors to “immediately investigate the aforementioned violation which poses a threat on the implementation of the R-ARCSS.”
