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

The ceasefire monitoring body, CTSAM-VM said it is in the process of closing branch offices of its verification teams in Torit of Eastern Equatoria and Bor of Jonglei State due to reduction in donor support.

The Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism made the announcement during its 39th Board Meeting in Juba on Tuesday.

“At the last Board Meeting, I reported the challenges being faced by CTSAMVM due to the reduction in donor support. As I stated we were planning to close two Monitoring and Verification Teams,” said its chairperson, Major General Hailu Gonfa.

General Gonfa said despite the closure, the areas will still get support from monitoring and verification teams from other areas.

“MVTs Torit and Bor are in the process of being closed, although I can assure you that these areas will continue to be covered by other MVTs.”

CTSAM-VM first disclosed the planned layoff in December 2023 in Juba and some areas in the states due to a lack of funding.

The ceasefire monitor said Its activities have been affected since July 2023 due to serious logistical and operation challenges following the withdrawal of funding by the US government.

According to Gonfa, the body has a strong and flexible operations team, which will still be able to continue to operate efficiently without operational gaps.

“We have a robust and flexible operations team, and I am confident that CTSAMVM will be able to continue to operate effectively.”

He said the Monitoring and Verification Teams have now been reduced to 6 people, the same number it had in 2014 at the time of conflict.