CEPO calls for IGAD, AU and UN field visit to southern Unity amidst escalating violence

JUBA – The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has expressed grave concern over the ongoing violence in southern Unity State, calling for an urgent field visit by IGAD, AU, and UN representatives to assess the situation and promote peace efforts.

In a statement released on Tuesday, CEPO condemned the ongoing clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO), emphasizing that these acts of violence directly undermine the revitalized peace deal.

“The military clashes in Unity State are an intentional act by the conflicting forces, who are increasingly resorting to proxy warfare to achieve their objectives,” stated the statement signed by CEPO’s Executive Director Edmund Yakani. “These actions threaten the country’s fragile peace and jeopardize the upcoming elections scheduled for December 2024.”

CEPO particularly criticized the silence of the peace presidency on the escalating violence, asserting that the lack of response from the highest levels of government implies endorsement of the conflict.

“The Presidency’s silence on the negative developments in Unity State is tantamount to an endorsement of the violence,” Yakani emphasized. “If South Sudan returns to war, the Presidency will bear the primary responsibility.”

To address the deteriorating security situation in Unity State, CEPO urged IGAD, AU, and UN to conduct an immediate field visit to assess the situation firsthand and engage with stakeholders to promote peace efforts.

“We call upon IGAD, AU, and UN to urgently commission a field visit to Unity State,” Yakani stated. “This visit is crucial to assess the situation, engage with stakeholders, and promote peace efforts to prevent further escalation.”

Violence erupted in Leer on Tuesday morning after the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and an allied armed militia attacked a military base belonging to the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) outside Leer County headquarters.

The fighting has killed an approximate number of ten soldiers on both sides including a senior commander of the SSPDF. Around 700 civilians have also been displaced by the violence which begun at Kaigai village and extended to outskirts of Leer town.