IGAD warns rival SPLA-IO factions ceasefire violation ‘will not be tolerated’

JUBA – The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) which mediated the revitalized peace agreement has warned SPLA-IO warring factions that any activity that may jeopardize the 2017 ceasefire agreement will not be tolerated by the regional community.

The warning comes following an emergency meeting of the IGAD Council of Ministers in which the regional body discussed last week’s fighting between various SPLA-IO factions in Magenis near the Sudanese border.

The fighting followed an announcement by former SPLA-IO Chief of General Staff General Simon Gatwech Dual in which he announced his decision to remove First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny as leader of the SPLM-IO.

Machar responded with accusations that the decision was engineered by ‘peace spoilers’ and then authorized his forces near Magenis to attack position of General Simon Gatwech Dual in Magenis but were repulsed.

In a communiqué, the IGAD Council of Ministers said “any actions that violate the Permanent Ceasefire and undermine the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement 2017 will not be tolerated.”

It further “Urged the Parties to the R-ARCSS to convene an urgent meeting to consult on how they can contribute towards de-escalating and resolving the crisis within SPLM/A-IO.”