First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar’s Sudan People ‘s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) is demanding that the ceasefire body probes the recent attack on its base that resulted in killing of one of its senior officers in Eastern Equatoria State.

An unidentified armed group launched an attack on the SPLA-IO cantonment site in Lowereng village, Kapoeta North Country on Monday, killing five officers including the force commander.

No group has claimed the responsibility but SPLA-IO Spokesperson Col. Lam Paul Gabriel (pictured) said such attack amounts to a serious violation of the 2017 cessation of hostility agreement.

He called on the Joint Defense Board (JDB) and the Ceasefire Transition Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) to investigate the incident and hold violators accountable. 

“We request the JDB and CTSAMVM that they will have to make a decision and I believe when they sit down they will decide on what to do,” Brig. Lam told the City Review on phone on Wednesday.

Even though he withheld his name, Brig. Lam described the deceased as a hero who dedicated his life to liberation of the country.

He said SPLA-IO remained committed to the implementation of the peace agreement but reserves the right to self-defense if attacked.

However, he said the opposition would continue to engage ceasefire monitoring body and make sure that the incident is brought under control to prevent taking the country back to violence.

“That will not amount to violence. We will negotiate, investigate and ensure who are behind the attacks,” he added.