JDB told to relocate rival SPLA-IO forces from Mirmir after weeks of fighting

JUBA – South Sudan’s Joint Defense Board (JDB) has been asked by a youth group from Unity State to relocate the cantonment site hosting peace forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/SPLA-IO) under First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny from Mirmir, after weeks of internal fighting.

Mirmir is an area belonging to Koch County of Unity State and it has witnessed fierce fighting in recent weeks fitting SPLA-IO forces loyal to First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and his former army chief, General Simon Gatwech Dual who now leads the breakaway SPLA-IO Kitgwang faction.

Gatwech, an influential military commander belonging to the SPLA-IO is under EU sanctions, and his defection to form a SPLA-IO faction of his own in August last year sparked opposition infighting, right from northern Upper Nile state, to a few areas in Unity and Jonglei states.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post, the Bentiu Great Youth Foundation, urged the Joint Defense Board (JDB), a peach mechanism established under the terms of the revitalized peace agreement to oversee the implementation of the security arrangements, to relocate SPLA-IO forces to an area far from civilian centers.

“With deep concerns, Bentiu Great Home Youth Foundation is calling for the relocation of SPLA IO military forces from Mirmir cantonment site to new designated location at least 7KM away from civilians areas [because] they are causing insecurity, looting of properties and deteriorating the situation of civilians living near the military cantonment sites,” the statement said.

“With ongoing displacements and worsening flooding, the SPLA IO military forces’ fighting is blocking national and international aid organizations to access critical areas near Mirmir cantonment sites, the humanitarian crisis has become dire, placing many in life-threatening situations,” the statement added.

The statement further added that the SPLA-IO forces are “intimidating cattle keepers and civilian administrators [and] there has been renewed insecurity and threats to freedom of movement for villagers and humanitarian partners. The military has been checking travelers and making arrests, which has increased fear surrounding travel.”