The main peace party has also suspended its meetings in the peace monitoring body, R-JMEC.

In a letter to the interim chair of R-JMEC, the SPLA-IO said it has been presenting violations of cessation of hostilities agreement committed by the main peace partner, since the beginning of peace implementation.

It said the violations are unprovoked attacks on the SPLM/SPLA-IO areas, cantonment sites and the unified forces training centers.

The areas, the party cited are Morota training center in Kajo-keji County, Kaljak training center in Rubkone County, Turu cantonment site in Maiwut County, Liengji cantonment site in Maban County, Pieri cantonment site in Uror County.

Others are Namatina cantonment site in Najero County, Mir-Mir cantonment site in Koch County among others.

The SPLA-IO argued that the attacks have resulted in the displacement of civilians and destruction of properties.

It also said members of the former government attend most of the security mechanisms meetings irregularly and sometimes send officers who are not members of the security mechanisms.

In the letter – signed by the acting chief of general staff of the SPLA-IO, Gabriel Duop Lam – the group said it will not participate in any of R-JMEC and security mechanisms meetings until the issues are resolved.

In response, the SSPDF spokesperson denied the allegations.

However, Major-General Lul Ruai Koang said the decision by the SPLA-IO to suspend its participation in the meeting will do more harm in the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

“We have never had a situation whereby SPLA-IO and SSPDF get into direct combat, there are triggers and we get blamed by default,” Gen. Lul told Eye Radio.

“Regarding SPLA-IO pulling out or suspending their participation in all the security mechanisms, I think it is a premature decision. It will not help in stabilizing the fragile security situation in all the areas that they have mentioned.

“The best thing is for dialogue to continue, I’m very sure the political leadership of SPLA-IO will prevail over the officers who took the decision to suspend their participation on mechanisms because that should have been a political decision not a military decision.

“It should have been the political leadership of SPLA-IO to address it at the level of the presidency. It is a premature decision, it will do more harm than good to the implementation of the peace agreement.”

According to the revitalized peace agreement, no revenge, vengeance or retribution and any kind of violation of the permanent ceasefire is allowed under any circumstances.

It also stipulates that all parties shall refrain from offensive, provocative or retaliatory actions.

There are thousands of SSPDF, SPLA-IO and Opposition Alliance forces in various cantonment camps across the country, some of whom have chosen to leave the camps over the graduation.

They have been at the training camps since 2019.

About 53,000 forces are expected to graduate from the training camps.

They include the army, police, and national security, among others.