deputy spokesperson of SPLM/A in Opposition Yohanis Musa Pouk in Addis Ababa - Jan 2014

The spokesperson of the SPLM/SPLA – in Opposition says the IGAD mediation team is responsible for what he said was “failure to establish the Verification and Monitoring Mechanism”.

Yohanis Pouk was speaking to Eye Radio about the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.

“I think we need to be serious on this because we have been talking to IGAD that they should urgently form the Monitoring and Verification team to go and monitor on the ground because without this,” he said, “we will always be hearing these accusations from the government.”

The office of the president last week said that forces loyal to Dr Machar had attacked Malakal.

The SPLA admitted at the weekend that the SPLA-in Opposition now controlled the city.

Mr. Pouk added that the SPLM/SPLA – in Opposition has welcomed the announcement that Ugandan forces will gradually withdraw from South Sudan.

He added that General Alfred Lado Gore and Riek Machar’s wife, Angelina Teny, have joined the talks in Addis Ababa.