Rival S. Sudan forces begin training on implementing ceasefire
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
November 16, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – A workshop on the implementation of South Sudan’s cessation of hostilities (COH) agreement kicked of in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on Saturday.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has brought together the South Sudanese army (SPLA) and rebel commanders of the SPLM in Opposition to provide training on the basics of implementing the ceasefire agreement.
The two warring parties have contributed six military officers each to the workshop.
The 12 military commanders are said to have led forces responsible for previous clashes, in violation of the January agreement.
Despite signing the ceasefire deal in January this year, the two rival SPLM factions have so far ailed to honour the agreed terms, with ongoing fighting further aggravating the security and humanitarian situation in the country.
The week-long workshop aims to educate military officers on how to monitor and uphold the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
IGAD, the regional bloc mediating negotiations between the two warring factions, is also planning to provide extensive training sessions to ground forces from both rival factions.
However, rebel officials in Addis Ababa told Sudan Tribune implementing the modalities of the agreement will not be successful unless all government-allied forces, particularly the Ugandan army (UPDF), withdraw from the territory of South Sudan.
“These occupied forces of UPDF must withdraw from our territory. Their intervention reminds us of US occupation forces in Iraq,” said one rebel official.
The young East African nation has been engulfed in conflict since mid-December last year following a political dispute within the ruling SPLM party.
The conflict has left tens of thousands of people dead and uprooted over 1.5 million.
Meanwhile, the rebel faction led by former vice-president Riek Machar is due to hold a general meeting in Ethiopia’s Gambela region a few days after the workshop concludes.
The general meeting is regarding the monitoring and verification mission and will continue discussions on upcoming security arrangements.
(ST)