SPLA-IO needs to return to the ceasefire monitoring bodies
On Tuesday, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) members of the security mechanisms in the R-JMEC and Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement, Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) has suspended their operations in the groups.
They cited continued violations by their peace partners, arguing that there were continuous unprovoked attacks on their areas, cantonment sites, and the unified forces training centres.
The members also complained of the facilitation and encouragement of defections, resulting in violent clashes and the displacement of civilian populations in the affected areas.
The decision taken by the SPLA-IO to suspend its participation in the ceasefire monitoring bodies is so disturbing and worrisome to many ordinary citizens who are still recovering from the consequences of the recent conflict. Our economy is still recovering from damage caused by the war.
The presidency should urgently address this issue and ensure that the SPLA-IO returns to RJMEC and CTSAMVM as soon as possible. This is because their presence in the group is very crucial for the survival of the permanent ceasefire agreement.
We have seen how the peace agreement has continued to maintain relative peace in the country because the parties have remained committed to the permanent ceasefire since its signing in 2018. There has been relative peace in most parts of the country, despite the allegations of some violations.
Despite the slow implementation of the peace agreement, the citizens are hopeful that the relative calm peace will result in sustainable peace. But the decision by the SPLA-IO to suspend its activities with the peace monitors is causing more worries among the civil population who do not want to experience any conflict again.
The 2013 and 2016 wars have been very costly for human lives as well as resources. Several people were displaced from their homes and forced to flee and take refuge in the internally displaced camps. It is sad to hear that a peace partner is pulling out of its participation in the ceasefire at a time when people are trying to return home to rebuild their lives.
The presidency should urgently address the issue to restore hope and calm among the citizens. The withdrawal of the SPLA-IO from the RJMEC and CTSAMVM is causing a lot of worry among the people, not only to the citizens but also the international community and the investors who are within the country.
The statement from the SPLA-IO is giving people doubts and questions about the survival of the permanent ceasefire that has been held for the last three years. So, it is important for the leaders to the peace agreement to quickly restore the citizens’ shaking hopes. Ordinary citizens are tired of war and they want to rebuild their lives to live like other citizens across the world.
The revitalised peace agreement has been the only hope for the citizens to rebuild their lives as well as for the country to transition to a democratic country.
