CTSAMVM regretted the integrity of the ceasefire violations across South Sudan, highlighting the recent clashes between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO in Nagero County

By James Chatim

The Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) said the recent clashes between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO in Nagero County were not an isolated misunderstanding but a “deliberate attack.”

The body regretted the integrity of the ceasefire violations across South Sudan.

Speaking during the 50th CTSAMVM Board Meeting on Tuesday in Juba, CTSAMVM Chairperson Maj Gen. Yitayal Gelaw Bitew said despite the ceasefire between the signatory parties has remained largely effective across most monitored areas by CTSAMVM’s Monitoring and Verification Teams, but there were also violations.

“It is with regret that I must inform you, as I did with the CTSAMVM Technical Committee, that for the first time in my tenure as Chairman, the integrity of the ceasefire is not upheld across all of South Sudan,” Gelaw remarked.

“CTSAMVM is particularly concerned about ongoing armed clashes between two signatory parties along the state boundary between Western Equatoria and Western Bahr El Ghazal States.”

“Our Monitoring and Verification Teams were alerted to reports of these clashes over the weekend of January 11 and 12,” he added.

Gen. Gelaw continued that the consistent accounts from both parties and civil society representatives indicate that these incidents were not “isolated misunderstandings but rather a considered attack upon ceasefire partners.”

“These exchanges of fire have tragically resulted in loss of lives, injuries, and displacement among civilians and uniformed personnel. CTSAMVM has already addressed this issue with the Joint Monitoring and Coordination Office and the CTSAMVM Technical Committee,” Gen. Gelaw asserted.

The Chairperson of CTSAMVM condemns these armed exchanges and urges both parties to exercise restraint and sound judgment.

Gen Gelaw emphasized that this is a critical moment for exemplary leadership and urged both parties to embrace dialogue and foster mediation to alleviate tensions and resolve grievances.

“Consequently, our Monitoring and Verification Teams from Wau and Yambio have been assigned to investigate. CTSAMVM condemns these armed exchanges and urges both parties to exercise restraint and sound judgment. We emphasize that this is a critical moment for exemplary leadership—one that embraces dialogue and fosters mediation to alleviate tensions and resolve grievances,” Gen Gelaw said.