Chairperson of CTSAMVM, Maj Gen Hailu Gonfa Eddosa - Courtest

The head of ceasefire monitoring body – CTSAM-VM said the South Sudan army should review its training policy amid reports that SSPDF forces were recently involved in killing and harassment of civilians.

Formed under the 2018 peace agreement, CTSAM-VM is tasked to compile ceasefire violation reports so that remedial action is taken, and those responsible held to account.

Major General Hailu Gonfa Eddosa, the body’s chairperson said CTSAM-VM continues to investigate a number of allegations, some of which involve the harassment of civilians by military forces.

General Gonfa said one of the most serious of its recently published 9 reports include the actions of some SSPDF units during a disarmament exercise in Gondokoro in early January.

He also said unarmed civilians were killed by SSPDF soldiers without stating when this happened.

“CTSAMVM is concerned that one of the reports we will discuss today concerns another killing of unarmed civilians by SSPDF soldiers,” he said at the CTSAM-VM meeting in Juba Wednesday.

“Four out of the nine reports we discussed at the last meeting concerned similar incidents; the SSPDF must review the training of its soldiers and take action to stop these tragic occurrences.”

On his part, Major General Rabi Emmanuel, the SSPDF representative to the ceasefire monitoring body, CTSAM-VM, acknowledged the wrongdoing of some soldiers.

General Emmanuel said the SSPDF headquarters will form an investigation committee to probe the insecurities in Unity State as well as the alleged atrocities in Gondokoro island.

“We are also disappointed and not happy with the ongoing security situation in Unity State, including also the allegations at Kondokoro during the disarmament operation carried by the SSPDF forces.”

“I would like to assure you that the insecurity caused by Lt. Gen. Simon Maguek and what is happening in Unity state, plus the one you talked about this allegation, the SSPDF command is aware of this and will form an investigation committee to go and find out exactly what happened.”

“As, the usual measures will also be taken against the perpetrators, those who caused these violations.”