Opening Remarks of CTSAMVM Chairperson to RJMEC Workshop
CTSAMVM PRESS RELEASE
Maj. Gen. Desta Abiche Ageno, the Chairman of CTSAMVM speaking at RJMEC Workshop for All Security Mechanisms in Juba, South Sudan(Photo credit: file/SSNN/ctsamm)
Friday May 10th, 2019(SSNN) — Your Excellency Ambassador Wais, Your Excellency Ambassador Lt Gen Augustino Njoroge, Chairpesons and Representatives of all mechanisms, Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank R-JMEC for organizing this crtical workshop. It is so important that all mechanisms sit together and discuss the way forward.
I have the pleasure to brief you on the status of implementation of the Chapter II of R-ARCSS.
CTSAMVM can report that the signing of the R- ARCSS marked the beginning of a genuine ceasefire in the Republic of South Sudan. After some initial problems, the signatory Parties showed a real commitment to making the ceasefire work, and fighting related to the conflict all but ceased, except in the south where clashes have continued with NAS forces loyal to General Thomas Cirillo.
Although the Parties have demonstrated a commitment to making the ceasefire work, progress in implementing all provisions of Chapter 2 of the R- ARCSS has been mixed. For example: despite assurances from senior military commanders, a number of schools and civil buildings remain occupied by soldiers. It is difficult for CTSAMVM to understand why orders given at the highest level are not obeyed at the lower level.
During the pre-transitional period all troops should have been cantoned. This is a key provision and provides the basis for the implementation of the Security Arrangements. The Security Arrangements constitute a vital component of the R-ARCSS: if not fully implemented the Agreement will be jeopardized. Similarly, the cantonment of forces is a vital phase of the implementation of the Security Arrangements. When troops are cantoned they will be separated, thus reducing the danger of any sort of military engagement to a minimum, and all the other provisions of the Security Arrangements – such as registration, screening, DDR, etc – can be implemented.
So far cantonment is incomplete: for SSPDF forces to be cantoned, for the most part, they just have to remain in established garrison locations, but many of the SPLM/SPLA-IO and SSOA forces have to move into cantonment areas, with all the logistic challenges this implies. At the moment, the majority of SPLM/SPLA-IO and SSOA forces are not in functioning cantonment areas, although there has been some movement towards them. Whilst the Parties have demonstrated the will to adhere to the ceasefire, they need increased political commitment in order to move to the next level and to implement the Security Arrangements in full. This commitment would be demonstrated by the full operationalisation of all security mechanisms: JDB, JMCC, JTSC and SDSR. The Parties must not only demonstrate political will, they must also ensure that those under their command do what they are supposed to do.
The fact that the ceasefire has, in general, been successful represents a major achievement. However, until forces are cantoned the Security Arrangements cannot be fully implemented. The operationalisation of all security mechanisms and the cantonment of forces are therefore the most important and immediate tasks in the implementation of the PCTSA and R-ARCSS.
In addition, progress on vacation of civil buildings by the armed forces remains very slow. It must be resolved quickly as a matter of urgency. These buildings must be vacated immediately and the parties must report to CTSAMVM so that it can be verified.
Laides and Gentlemen,
CTSAMVM is mandated by the R-ARCSS to be responsible for monitoring, verification, compliance and reporting to IGAD Council of Ministers and R- JMEC on the progress of PCTSA implementation. To fulfill its mission, CTSAMVM relies on the full cooperation of the parties and other stakeholders, and on the contributions from the international community. However, CTSAMVM faces challenges in both aspects.
CTSAMVM continues to experience repeated denial of access under various forms of excuses. CTSAMVM reported these violations in our reports and calls for action to be taken by the parties and stakeholders. It is hard to understand so far why no action has been taken to ensure accountability, and
violations continue after 8 months of signing of the R-ARCSS. In particular, CTSAMVM has not seen the full report of the Luri incident which happened last December.
CTSAMVM also experiences financial difficulties since the end of last year due to many factors. The restructuring of CTSAMVM under the R-ARCSS increased our activites and personnel expenses. Some donors were unable to continue their contribution to CTSAMVM. As a result, CTSAMVM has been unable to pay DSA to the international observers since the beginning of this year. We are forced to freeze sectors established as part of the restructuring. International observers have checked out without replacements. All these have a significant impact on our capacity to monitor and verify.
CTSAMVM welcomes the decision by the parties to extend the pre-transitional period by 6 months which was endorsed by the IGAD Council of Ministers. CTSAMVM will continue to use its best efforts during the extended pre-transitional period. The priorities of CTSAMVM during this period are: 1)verification of cantonment activities, such as screening, DDR; 2)verification of unified forces, their training and redployment; and 3) continued verification of ceasefire, including vacation of civilian buildings, allegations of SGBV, allegations of use of child soldiers, and allegations of recruitment. Our expectations are that the parties will fully comply with the permanent ceasefire in all our verification activities.
Therefore, we request all parties to allow CTSAMVM immediate and unconditional access. Without this, we will face serious challenges, and this will jeopardise the Agreement. This requires close communication and cooperation by all mechanisms. Also we request IGAD, the parties, the stakeholders and international community to take visible actions to guarantee CTSAMVM freedom of movement, and to mobilize resources to support CTSAMVM’s critical mission.
Thank you.
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