SPLA-IO confirms SSPDF seizure of cantonment site in Western Equatoria

JUBA – South Sudan’s main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) has accused the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) of violating the peace agreement by attacking and seizing its cantonment site in Western Equatoria State.

Speaking to journalists in Juba on Thursday, SPLA-IO spokesman Col. Lam Paul Gabriel said the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) launched an assault on Rirangu cantonment site on February 12 under the command of Brig. Gen. James Nando.

“The SPLA-IO forces had to tactically withdraw to a safer location with no single casualty or injury,” he said. “In a JDB meeting yesterday, the SSPDF denied their participation in the clashes, labeling it as a tribal war between the Azande and the Balanda tribes. However, a video taken at the cantonment site shows how Brig. James Nando, with his bodyguards, celebrated the capture of Rirangu cantonment site by the SSPDF.”

The SPLA-IO accused the SSPDF of expanding its territorial control by dismantling opposition assembly areas under the pretext of removing illegal checkpoints.

“SPLA-IO did not refuse to close down the so-called illegal checkpoints. The challenge was that there was no consensus reached between the SSPDF and the SPLA-IO command on the modalities to be used to close down those checkpoints,” Lam said.

He argued that the checkpoints were established for security purposes and not for taxation, adding that unilateral SSPDF operations in opposition-controlled areas violate the peace agreement.

“The SSPDF used the resolution from the Governors’ Forum as an excuse to expand their territory and also destroy the SPLA-IO assembly areas, which is a complete violation of the permanent ceasefire,” he said.

Lam also cited Article 2.1.10.4 of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), which prohibits offensive actions such as redeployment or movement of forces without prior communication to the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM).

“This article was completely violated by the SSPDF beginning from early January when they deployed in Boo Bridge to yesterday when they attacked Rirangu cantonment site,” he added.

The SPLA-IO spokesman further criticized the slow implementation of the transitional security arrangements, saying that while the unified forces were graduated in 2022, their deployment remains incomplete.

“All graduated NUF except the army are still not deployed; yet all the security units loyal to SPLM-ITGONU are busy recruiting, training, graduating and deploying new forces in complete violation of the agreement.”

He dismissed claims that the SPLA-IO had submitted an excessive number of officers for deployment, saying the opposition group had adhered to the agreed power-sharing formula of SSPDF (60%), SPLA-IO (30%), and SSOA (10%).

Lam also rejected what he called a “misconception” that SPLA-IO forces should be integrated into the SSPDF.

“The current SSPDF is a force loyal to the SPLM-ITGONU just like the SPLA-IO and SSOA that are loyal to the SPLM-IO and SSOA respectively until unification is complete,” he said, referencing Article 2.2.5 of the peace agreement.

The SPLA-IO called on the SSPDF to adhere to the security arrangements instead of engaging in military confrontations.

“The SPLA-IO calls on the SSPDF to understand the importance of implementing the security arrangement in letter and spirit instead of waging these unnecessary wars that only destabilize the country and bring more suffering to our innocent civilians,” he stated.

Lam urged CTSAMVM and the Joint Defence Board (JDB) to investigate violations that led to destruction of property, displacement of civilians, and loss of lives.

“The SPLA-IO remains committed to a peaceful implementation of the agreement but reserves the right to self-defense,” he concluded.