We’re committed to peace, Machar declared while Kiir says no return to war.

Following rising tensions between the two peace partners, the governing Sudan People’s Liberation Movement –in Government (SPLM-IG) has allayed worries that the nation may devolve into civil war.

On Monday afternoon, Acting SPLM Secretary-General Peter Lam Both made a statement claiming that the country’s leadership is dedicated to implementing President Salva Kiir’s and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar’s 2018 peace deal.

Dr. Riek Machar, the nation’s First Vice President, has also reaffirmed his commitment to the Revitalized Peace Agreement, stating his party would do all necessary to keep the country at peace.

Dr. Machar, the chairwoman of the South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition, declared in a message to newsrooms on Monday evening that his party or troops would not be part of the trigger of yet another round of bloodshed in the nation.

In a statement, Mr Both added, “We want to assure the people of South Sudan that the Revitalized Peace Agreement is intact and that there will be no return to conflict.” “They have been banging the drums of war from the diaspora,” the SPLM said, blaming certain unidentified individuals for inflaming tensions.

The SPLM, commanded by President Salva Kiir, was reacting to rising political tensions in the nation after its primary adversary, the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), withdrew from peace mechanism organizations, claiming SSPDF assaults in the Upper Nile States.

The SPLM-IO, headed by Dr. Riek Machar, withdrew from R-JMEC, CTSAM-VM, and the Joint Defence Board (JDB) last week, citing reports that pro-government troops attacked its positions in Upper Nile and Unity states.

Maj Gen. Lul Ruai, a spokeswoman for the SPPDF, dismissed such reports, accusing the opposition troops of being the aggressors.

Dr Machar addressed a letter to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Friday, requesting its assistance in brokering an agreement for the unity of troops. Dr Machar had repudiated a presidential directive on force reorganization since it was in violation of the 2018 peace agreement’s conditions. President Kiir is advocating for a 60-40 army sharing ratio, whereas Dr Machar is pressing for a 50-50 army sharing ratio, with SPLM-IG getting half and SPLM-IO and other parties sharing the other half.

A detachment of armed security personnel, including police officers, has been stationed around Juba City since Monday morning. Officers are inspecting high-end vehicles as they go through the city’s key thoroughfares.