IGAD instituted South Sudan ceasefire monitor team in financial crisis

The IGAD team in charge of monitoring the ceasefire in South Sudan has ran into financial difficulties.

The Monitoring and Verification Mechanism for the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements said Monday in Juba that it is seeking $6 million to cover a budget deficit.

A two-million-dollar budget shortfall and a four-million-dollar outstanding obligation debt are included in this.

The team’s chairman, Maj. Gen Teshome Gemechu Aderie, is confident in the strategy in place to handle the financial constraint.

“Because they are key stakeholders and guarantors of the peace agreement’s implementation in this country, Ethiopia and Uganda have agreed to provide financial support to the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism as requested,” Gemechu told journalists at the CTSAMVM’s 23rd board meeting.

“We will continue to engage with the other IGAD member countries to guarantee their ongoing support for the mechanism,” he said.

According to the mechanism, there have been no verified clashes between the sides, the ceasefire is still in force, and violence has reduced considerably, especially in Jonglei and Pibor.

However, ambushes and clashes allegedly committed by NAS soldiers have persisted in Central Equatoria State, according to Gemechu.

“In the Moroto training centre and Liang cantonment area, tensions and occasional incidents continue, and the Kitbeck attack in Nasir is a cause of concern,” he said.

“The CTSAMVM is concerned that if this trend continues, the implementation of the revised peace accord, especially the ceasefire, would be jeopardized,” he said.

“We encourage all parties to take the necessary measures to guarantee a ceasefire and civilian protection.”

The mechanism directed IGAD and RJMEC to urge the government to take quick and decisive action to avoid cantonment site fragmentation and to address any issues preventing trainee graduation and the formation of the necessary united forces.