R-JMEC Chairperson, Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai. Photo credit: R-JMEC

The peace monitoring body, R-JMEC has called on the SPLM/A-IO to reverse its decision of suspending its participation in the various security mechanisms.

Early this week, the main peace partner resolved to suspend its membership participation in security mechanism meetings.

The Political Bureau meeting chaired by Dr. Riek Machar cited what is termed as unprovoked attacks on their military bases and cantonment sites.

The peace party also called for regional and international interventions to resolve differences.

According to the statement, the attacks on several cantonment sites reportedly resulted in the displacement of civilians and destruction of properties.

The SSPDF denied the allegations, saying their forces acted in self-defense.

Meanwhile, the Interim chairman of R-JMEC, Charles Tai Gituai believes resolving the concerns of SPLM-IO require their full participation in the security mechanism meetings.

“The Joint Defense Board is a key mechanism composed of the chief of defense forces of these three parties responsible to their respective forces and as such its role is imperative in addressing security related issues.”

“Therefore, addressing the specific concerns that the SPLA-IO has raised requires that these security mechanisms be fully composed of representatives from all the parties which means full participation of the SPLM/A-IO”, Gen. Gituai was speaking during the 22nd meeting of the R-JMEC.

“I urge that the SPLM/A-IO to reverse the suspension of its participation in the security mechanisms in order to allow redress of the matters they have raised”, Gen. Gituai added.

There was no representative of the SPLM-IO at the R-JMEC meeting for the second time after they walked out of a similar meeting this week.