Maj. Gen Hailu Gonfa Eddosa addresses the 38th CTSAMVM Board Meeting in Juba. Thursday, January 25, 2024. (Photo: Obaj Okuj)

The Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAM-VM) has reported a decline in incidents attributed to the National Salvation Front (NAS).

According to CTSAM-VM, the downward trend might be linked to the July 2023 defection of top NAS commander to the government.

“In recent months CTSAMVM has recorded a decrease in the number of incidents attributed to NAS,” said the body’s chairperson, Major General Hailu Gonfa Eddosa, during CTSAM’s 38th Board Meeting in Juba Thursday.

In mid last year, Brigadier General Kennedy Kenyi Abdu, a high-ranking NAS commander abandoned the opposition group and defected to the unity government of President Salva Kiir.

He announced his defection in Yei River County, where he denounced violence and encouraged his former movement to join the peace process through the resumption of the Rome peace initiative.

The ceasefire monitor, however, said challenges persist because the full provisions of the Rome agreement are yet to materialize.

On Tuesday, Kenyan President William Ruto confirmed his acceptance of President Kiir’s request to mediate peace talks between the government and the hold out groups.

Mr Ruto said almost all the parties responded to his call positively and his country was preparing to host a pre-mediation consultation with parties to the Rome Peace talks.