The Troika countries have condemned what they referred to as the reported attacks by SSPDF on SPLM/A-IO positions in Jekau and other towns in Maiwut County, Upper Nile State in recent days.
The United States, Norway and the United Kingdom said the incidents followed a series of reported attacks across Unity and Upper Nile states by SSPDF and SSPDF-aligned forces on SPLM/A-IO positions over the last two months.
The Troika requests the security mechanisms to provide urgently an assessment of whether these attacks constitute a breach of R-ARCSS and identify those that bear primary responsibility.
The mechanisms include the Permanent Ceasefire and Peace Agreement Monitoring and Verification Mechanisms, the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC).
It warned that incidents such as these and the resulting cycles of revenge attacks risk greater violence in the country.
The Troika further said “the violence illustrate the destabilizing and malicious effects of incentivized defections, as these are often followed by armed clashes between defectors and their former comrades in arms.”
The Troika said it is particularly concerned by reported attacks against Training Centers and Cantonment Sites, which betray a lack of political will to unify and graduate the Necessary Unified Forces – something it said was threatening to undermine the R-ARCSS.
The three countries then called on the Government of South Sudan to exercise leadership and oversight of the nation’s security forces to maintain discipline and compliance with the Peace Agreement.
The western nations also expressed regrets over the decision by SPLM/A-IO to temporarily withdraw its participation from CTSAM-VM and R-JMEC.
The Troika urged all parties to re-commit to the R-ARCSS and re-engage in good faith in the Agreement mechanisms.
It stressed that, with less than a year left of the transitional period, whole-hearted commitment is critical to get South Sudan past the finish line.
But unfortunately, the western body said the recent events signal the opposite and could lead to renewed bouts.
In conclusion, the Troika said it will continue to support the parties in their efforts to achieve a stable, peaceful society for all South Sudanese.