South Sudan ceasefire monitors say concerned by high-level of violence in Tambura

JUBA – South Sudan’s ceasefire monitors said the high level of violence across Tombura County remains a cause of concern in Western Equatoria State.

Maj. Gen. Teshome Gemechu Aderie, Chairperson of the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) said the position of those affected by the ongoing violence in Tombura remains serious.

“The level of violence in the Tambura area remains a serious concern, though the intervention of the JDB is to some extent contributing in terms of stabilizing the situation,” Gemechu said at CTSAMVM technical security meeting committee in Juba on Thursday.

Gemechu disclosed that the ceasefire monitors are closely monitoring the situation on the ground as well as maintaining contact with relevant military and civil authorities in the area.

“CTSAMVM commends the Joint Defense Board (JDB) for deploying the Select Committee to Tambura and for the inclusive rally is held on October 18th to address the warring factions,” he said.

The deadly fighting in Tombura which erupted in July has displaced nearly 80,000 civilians and left more than 200 people dead.

The conflict has been attributed to clashes between the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition and forces loyal to Gen. James Nando.

He called on parties to the conflict to end the fighting to pave way for the restoration of security.

“We call upon IGAD and RJMEC to urge the Parties to ensure their military forces do not get involved in committing violence, and that all stakeholders implement measures to diffuse the tension and facilitate the relocation of the warring forces away from Tambura,” he said.

He said deadly fighting continues to be reported in Magenis between two rival military factions of Sudan’s People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO).

“There continue to be reports of violence in Upper Nile State, with clashes between different SPLM/A-IO factions in the Magenis area, and reports of clashes in Pieri Cantonment Site in Jonglei State between the factions,” he said.