South Sudan peace monitors seek clarity on deployment of unified forces

JUBA – The Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) are calling for transparent data on the deployment of South Sudan’s Necessary Unified Forces (NUF).

“CTSAMVM has not received any new updates on the deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces,” said CTSAMVM chairperson Maj. Gen. Yitayal Bitew during a Thursday meeting of the ceasefire monitoring body.

“It is imperative that we get correct details as contradicting figures are being presented by government entities other than what is known by CTSAMVM,” he added.

This follows similar calls from RJMEC in May 2024. Interim chairperson Maj. Gen. (ret.) Charles Gituai appealed to the Joint Defense Board (JDB) to clarify confusion surrounding troop numbers.

“There has been conflicting data on the number of unified forces deployed under Phase 1. In this regard, JDB is requested to update this plenary on the actual number of deployed unified forces and progress towards phase II,” he said.

The South Sudanese government, however, has defended classification of the data on the deployment of the peace forces.

Cabinet Affairs Minister Dr. Elia Lomuro criticized unnamed institutions for providing inaccurate figures. He claimed that 90 percent of the overall 55,958 peace forces have been deployed.

“The official records from the National Transitional Committee (NTC) is a total of 55,958 combatants in Phase 1 of the Security Arrangements; these are apportioned: 15,150 Army, 3,380 VIP protection, 15,178 South Sudan National Police (SSNP), 4,069 Correctional Service (Prison), 5,605 Civil Defense, 6261 Wildlife Service, and 6,315 National Security,” Lomuro stated.

“Approximately 90 per cent of the Army has been deployed; the few remaining are now ready for deployment upon the commencement of Phase 2. The first battalion deployed to Greater Equatoria, the second battalion to Greater Bahr-El-Ghazal, and the third battalion to Greater Upper Nile,” he added.

He further argued that “graduation of any security force is symbolic; the deployment of any security force is classified, and that must be taken into account by those writing reports on the implementation of the A-ARCSS.”

Despite the government’s position, both CTSAMVM and RJMEC appear unified in demanding clear data on deployments. This transparency is seen as crucial for monitoring the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

The CTSAMVM chief also mentioned the ongoing occupation of civilian buildings by signatory parties to the agreement.

While commending the vacation of two areas in Sector Two, CTSAMVM urged the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) to vacate the remaining seven.

He further urged SSPDF in particular to vacate seven buildings it still occupies and called on JDB “to deploy the Necessary Unified Forces who are occupying some of the areas to appropriate places so as not to violate the very R-ARCSS that created their existence.”