The biggest threats facing the Transitional Government of National Unity [TGoNU] are internal, and result from the actions and policies of both the government and the SPLM in Opposition, say a panel of experts from the UN Security Council.

This is according to an investigative report, dated 19th September, which the panel submitted to the Security Council.

The report contains findings on the current security threats facing the Transitional Government of National Unity, and its need to maintain law and order in South Sudan.

It also provides further analysis of the role of transfers of arms and related materials coming to South Sudan since the formation of the TGoNU.

The report says that the most severe threats facing the TGoNU include hostility between the Government and the SPLM in Opposition and an intensification of the tribal tone of the conflict.

It also says the collapse of the economy and importation of arms and related materials are also among the major threats.

The report partly read:

“These threats are evident in the outbreak of violence in Juba on 8 July 2016, resulting in the flight of Riek Machar from the capital and subsequently the country;

“The continuation and escalation of armed conflict in other parts of South Sudan

“The increasingly tribal nature of the violence in Juba and elsewhere; and the collapse of the national economy owing to government mismanagement and diversion of funds to procure weapons and to prosecute the war

The report notes that the Panel has received numerous reports of arms transfers into South Sudan since the formation of ToGNU in April 2016.

The Panel says it received many reports of significant arms procurement the government.

The experts say this was reported by sources in the government, SPLA, the SPLM in Opposition, Member States and the United Nations.

“In late June 2016, the Panel received information from a high-ranking SPLA source that two truckloads of ammunition had been transferred overland from Uganda to Juba via Nimule on or about 11 June.

“The report was confirmed to the Panel by the representative of an IGAD Member State in Juba.

“Another high-ranking SPLA source told the Panel that the shipment had contained small arms ammunition and been procured in advance of an expected, unspecified operation.

On the side of the SPLM in Opposition, the panel noted that the group is being supported by the government of Sudan.

However, the Panel says the assistance Sudan is rendering to the opposition is limited to the small arms.

“While the Sudan has provided small arms, ammunition and some logistical support to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLM/A) in Opposition since December 2013 (see S/2016/70), the Panel has found no evidence to date that the Sudan — or any other neighbouring country — has provided it with heavy weapons, which has limited the opposition’s ability to mount large-scale operations.”

When contacted for a comment on this report, the SPLA military spokesperson, Brigadier Lul Ruai Koang, said he had not read that report and would not comment immediately.

Eye Radio’s efforts to reach the SPLM in Opposition leadership under Dr Riek Machar were not immediately successful.