Gov’t told to fund security arrangements as R-JMEC confirms desertion of cantonment sites

JUBA – South Sudan’s peace monitoring Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism (R-JMEC) is warning that soldiers are continuing the desertion of cantonment sites urging the transitional government to fund the activities of security mechanisms to enable graduation of stranded peace forces.

Speaking during the 17^th Plenary of the R-JMEC, chairman of the peace monitoring body General Charles Tai Gittuai said cantonment sites are still being abandoned by forces due to lack of basic services there including the lack of food and medical services.

“We urge the unity government to adequately fund the transitional security arrangement to expedite and complete the unification of forces,” he told the meeting that was attended by representatives of the parties to the revitalized peace agreement.

“The cantonment sites and training centers continue to be abandoned due to constant lack of food, medicines, shelter facilities and hygiene item for women,” the head of the peace monitoring body added.

He further continued: “The conditions in both cantonment and training centers continue to deteriorate and can only get worsen with onset of the rainy season.”

The call by the R-JMEC comes a few months after the country’s defense minister Angelina Teny said in a statement during a press conference at the ministry of defense in Bilpam that peace forces have abandoned the area.

Several calls have previously been made by members of the international community for the government to fund peace activities.

The government has argued that it cannot graduate the peace forces due to lack of guns which it said is a consequence of an arms embargo that has been there since 2018.