Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Non-signatories to the Revitilised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) have warned against any extension of the transitional period.
The Non-Signatories South Sudan Opposition Groups is a coalition of six armed groups that include the United Democratic Revolutionary Movement/Army UDRM/A of Thomas Tut Doap, National Democratic Movement Patriotic Front (NDM-PF) of Emmanuel Ajawin, National Salvation Front (NAS) of Thomas Cirillo, South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A) of Paul Malong Awan, Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC) of Alex Yatta Lukadi, and the Real SPLM of Pa’gan Amum.
The military spokesperson of the South Sudan United Front led by Paul Malong Awan, a member of the
NSSSOG said the alliance aimed to stand against any extension of the transitional period.
“The alliance also in its strongest term possible condemns the looming extension of the transitional period by President Kiir and his elites in Juba,” Col Philip Deng Nguot stated.
Nguot said any attempt to extend the period would work against the expectations of ordinary citizens who want to see progress in their country.
However, the government is yet to debate the roadmap to the ending of the transitional period, and is yet to declare that extension of the transitional period is an option on the table.
The group also appointed Amum as the press secretary of the coalition.
“Amum is the officially authorised person to speak on behalf of the (NSSSOG) in dealing with media and the public. Nevertheless, this doesn’t prevent the other five leaders of (NSSSOG) to express their views if requested to do so.”
Ceasefire deal
Last month, the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance (SSOMA) comprised SSUF/A and Real SPLM, agreed to be included in the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), by August 15, 2022.
Real SPLM of Pagan Amum and South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A) of Malong attended a workshop organised by CTSAMVM under the auspices of the Community of Sant’Egidio, in Rome Italy in June.
The Joint Communique of the conclusion of the workshop indicated that SSOMA would soon arrive in Juba to observe the ceasefire deal and conduct security talks with the government.
“The SSOMA CTSAMVM team is ready to make it to Juba before August 1st, and that would easily pave the way to the implementation of all focal points stipulated in the just signed communique in Rome on Thursday,” Col Deng stated on his Facebook post.
“There is a very high hope for the immediate departure of our CTSAMVM team, but my office is expecting to receive a clue from the leadership about the specific date of their departure to Juba,” Col Deng stated.
According to Col Deng, SSOMA had assigned Maj Gen Aluong Otor and Maj Gen Dickson Gatluak Jok Nyuot as focal persons with CTSAMVM.
SSOMA representatives to CTSAMVM are expected to be absorbed into CTSAMVM structures by August 15, 2022. The entire process shall be facilitated by Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and CTSAMVM and monitored by the Community of Sant’Egidio.
“Parties agree to disseminate the CoHA, sensitise and train all their forces and affiliates under their command and control to ensure full compliance and undertake to hold their forces accountable for any violations,” the communique read.
Col. Deng said the Real SPLM and SSUF/A would declare the size and location of their forces before August 1, 2022, as RTGoNU is expected to assure SSOMA representatives to CTSAMVM of their security. He stated that their representatives to CTSAMVM structures were ready.
Deng stated the decision was with respect to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) of 2017 and the “Rome Resolution to protect civilians, guarantee free access for humanitarian organizations, deliberate on a roadmap that will mitigate military engagements.”
But the US government suspended its support to RJMEC and CTSAMVM, a move seen to be a blow to the implementation of the Ceasefire and Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
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