Government told to include SSOMA in Ceasefire monitoring

The , mediating the Rome talks between the government and the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance (SSOMA), said the inclusion of the holdout group into a ceasefire monitoring mechanism will restore peace and stability in the country.

SSOMA comprises the South Sudan United Front/Army led by Paul Malong and the Real SPLM led by Pagan Amum.

The Secretary-General of the Community, Paolo Impagliazzo, said the inclusion of SSOMA would lead to the smooth implementation of the Cessation of Hostility Agreement.

 “Inclusion of these groups is a necessary step to ensure full compliance with the Cessation of Hostility Agreement and is fundamental to bringing peace to South Sudan,” Paolo said in an official statement released by the group.

The statement came after 13 military officers, both from the government and SSOMA, participated in a workshop convened by the Rome peace talks mediator in Rome.

The purpose of the workshop was to incorporate the holdout groups into the ceasefire monitoring mechanism that will be determined on June 30.

On Friday, last week, the Military Spokesperson of South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A), Col. Philip Deng Nguot, said Pope Francis had blessed South Sudanese and urged SSOMA and government delegates led by Maj Gen Dickson Nyuot, and Gen Emmanuel Mujung, respectively, to also pray for peace and stability in South Sudan.

“Our SSOMA military team thanked His Holiness Pope Francis for working tirelessly for the restoration of genuine peace in our war-torn country,” Deng explained.

He added that SSOMA agreed to be integrated into the ceasefire monitoring body to expedite the Rome Talks.

“The team added to him that SSOMA, comprising of SSUF/A, and the R-SPLM is committed to being integrated into the Ceasefire body. “For it’s the only option that would create a fertile ground for the ongoing political dialogue between the parties in Rome,” he reiterated.