South Sudanese opposition parties, government agree to observe ceasefire agreement
July 2, 2022 (ROME) – South Sudan opposition parties and government have agreed to fully implement the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) and ensure all armed forces and its affiliates under its command and control at all times observe the CoHA, particularly provisions of prohibited acts.
The resolution was reached at the end of an induction training course organized by the ceasefire monitoring body (CTSAMVM) in Rome, Italy.
The induction training, which took place from 20-30 June, 2022 was attended by representatives of the parties to the Rome Declaration 2020, namely the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) and the South Sudanese Opposition Movement Alliance (SSOMA) parties Real SPLM and South Sudan United Front (SSUF/A) National Monitors.
The course, convened by the Community of Saint’Egidio was held by the CTSAMVM Secretariat with the participation of representatives of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the peace monitoring body (RJMEC) and United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
“The aim of the induction training course was to ensure that all parties have a common understanding of their obligations as signatories to the CoHA of December 2017, CTSAMVM mandates and the modalities of working as part of CTSAMVM,” partly read the communique issued on June 30, 2022.
The major objectives of the course, according to the communique, were to induct the SSOMA national monitors into CTSAMVM monitoring and verification framework as well as identify the critical timelines and tasks required for their arrival and deployment into ceasefire monitoring body.
The parties, in communique extended to Sudan Tribune, further agreed to prevent and ensure accountability for breaches of COHA of 2017.
During the 10-day training course, parties acknowledged that SSOMA national monitors shall be represented in CTSAMVM structure, and shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities accorded to CTSAMVM members in accordance with its Status of Mission Agreement (SOMA) of May 2014.
“SSOMA undertakes to fully cooperate with CTSAMVM, and in furtherance of this cooperation, Real SPLM and SSUF/A SSOMA parties have designated Major General Aloung Otor and Maj Gen Dickson Gatluak Jock Nyuot Buoy respectively for their contact people with CTSAMVM leadership,” it noted.
Meanwhile, parties further agreed that SSOMA shall start the deployment of its representatives into the CTSAMVM structures by August 15, 2022.
“CTSAMVM and IGAD shall facilitate the deployment processes and the Community of Sant’Egidio shall accompany the implementation of the whole process,” stated the communique.
The parties also agreed to disseminate the CoHA, sensitize and train all their forces and affiliates under their command and control to ensure full compliance and undertake to hold their forces accountable for violations
It was further agreed that SSOMA Real SPLM and SSUF/A shall declare size and the location of their forces to CTSAMVM before August 1st, 2022, while the RTGoNU shall ensure security assurance to SSOMA Real SPLM and SSUF/A representatives to CTSAMVM.
(ST)