South Sudan monitors say SSPDF has secret training camps in Central Equatoria

JUBA – South Sudan’s ceasefire monitor, the Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), accused the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) on Thursday of establishing secret training camps and illegally recruiting soldiers in Central Equatoria State.

Major General Yitayal Gelaw Bitew, the head of the South Sudan peace monitoring mechanism, alleged that the SSPDF set up hidden training facilities in various Central Equatoria locations.

“The Technical Committee meeting today addresses an allegation report regarding covert training and recruitment activities by the SSPDF in several Central Equatoria State regions,” Gelaw stated during Thursday’s meeting in Juba.

CTSAMVM dispatched national monitors to investigate the claims, but access to specific areas was restricted, Gelaw said.

“An update on the report, initially investigated in May 2024, was presented to CTC members. Regrettably, CTSAMVM wasn’t granted access to certain areas for further information gathering,” he explained.

“This constitutes a denial of access as stipulated in Article 2.1.10.6 of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). The report is based on investigations with full involvement of National Monitors and discussed at the Joint Monitoring and Coordination Office with active participation of Senior National Liaison Officers,” he added.

This is the second accusation of recruitment leveled against the SSPDF.

On May 9, 2024, ceasefire monitors charged the SSPDF with unlawful soldier recruitment at Mathiang barracks in Aweil town, North Bahr el Ghazal State following two investigations by Sudans Post on SSPDF recruitment in the area.