SPLM-IO lambasts peace monitors for ‘doing nothing’ against peace violators

JUBA – South Sudan’s main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) has harshly criticized peace monitoring Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC) and Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) for “doing nothing” against peace violations.

Last month, the SPLM-IO announced suspension of its participation in the security mechanisms as well as the two peace monitoring bodies to protest continued attacks by South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) on its cantonment sites in both Unity and Upper Nile states.

Days later, the suspension resulted in the deployment of joint security forces comprising elements from South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, the National Security Service (NSS) and South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) around the residence of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny.

In an interview with Eye Radio, the SPLM-IO Director of Information and Public Relations Puok Both Baluang who doubles as the acting press secretary in the office of First Vice President said their withdrawal from the peace mechanisms is because the peace monitors have not been doing anything to deter peace violations.

“The decision of our members in the security mechanisms, the reason as to why they have decided to suspend is because of the recent violation of the cessation of hostilities, and also the R-JMEC and the CTSAM-VM are doing nothing regarding all there violations,” Baluang said.

“We are following the procedures on how to report all these incidents for all these years, but nothing has been done by the R-JMEC. The only thing that they do best is share blames that the forces have done this and we urge the forces….why there was no proper investigations and the perpetrators for these violations are not being questioned,” he added.

National Transitional Committee

The senior SPLM-IO official further criticized the National Transitional Committee (NTC) led by Presidential Advisor on Security Affairs for allegedly meeting once since its formation and accused the body of diverting funds meant for implementation of the peace agreement.

“What we are calling now is for us the parties to sit down and resolve all these issues so that our members can go back to attend their meetings in the R-JMEC,” Baluang said

“To us the NTC has been using the resources that are meant for the implementation of the peace agreement. Do you know the NTC has met once since its formation?” the senior SPLM-IO official added.