File: CTSAMVM Monitoring and Verification Team visit Moroto-Training-Site in Central Equatoria state. | Photo: File/CTSAM-VM

The ceasefire-monitoring body – CTSAM-VM told Eye Radio on Friday its national monitors have resumed work after months of strike after funds were secured from the Japanese government.

The Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism had been on strike for more than a year since April 2022.

CTSAM-VM is demanding that the unity government clears its South Sudanese staff allowances and arrears.

The national staff of the ceasefire monitors are reportedly unable to conduct their duties because of the lack of payment.

Speaking to Eye Radio, Colonel Ezra Kukundakwe, Head of Fusion Cell at CTSAM-VM, said CTSAM-VM is back to work after the government of Japan paid money to the government.

Colonel Ezra said the CTSAM-VM has received the funding and as a result, the monitors resumed work.

“I am glad to report that the national monitors have resumed work,” Ezra told Eye Radio.

“They were paid, and we got a donation from the government of Japan which is contributing to the government’s efforts to pay the national monitors. So, right now they resumed work and we are happy to report about that.”

In March 2023, the government of Japan donated financial support to the peace monitors R-JMEC and CTSAM-VM.

Japan’s assistance is reportedly to ensure R-JMEC continues to conduct its critical mission of monitoring and verifying the implementation of security arrangements.

The national monitors rely on funding from member states of the regional block IGAD and the international community to implement their mandate.

However, CTSAM-VM and its related body R-JMEC have suffered a funding shortage after the main donor – the United States withheld financial support citing a lack of progress in the peace process.