IGAD condemns S.S army attack on ceasefire team

CONFLICT

Foreign ministers from Inter-Government Authority on Development (IGAD) member countries have roundly condemned the recent attack on the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mission (CTSAMVM) team by the South Sudanese army.

Abdullahi Busuri, the IGAD spokesperson in South Sudan, said the ceasefire verification team was attacked by South Sudanese soldiers during a monitoring tour at Lure training centre, Jubek state in the Central Equatorial province.

In a joint statement issued by IGAD council of ministers, the subsequent dentation and assault of the ceasefire verification team by South Sudan soldiers has injured the September Khartoum peace deal that was signed by President Salva Kiir and his political rival, Dr. Riek Machar, ending a five year civil war.

The ceasefire monitoring team was beaten by soldiers clad in the military attire of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU).

"The IGAD Council of Ministers condemns the violation and calls upon the Transitional Government of National Unity of South Sudan to immediately investigate the violation, bring the perpetrators and their pertinent superiors to justice, and apologise to the victims and the countries they represent for the criminal act committed and notify the Council on measures taken as a matter of urgency," IGAD ministers said in a statement.

The IGAD ministers have also urged the South Sudanese authorities and other key players to strictly observe the peace deal.

"The Council also calls upon all signatories and non-signatories to the Agreement to fully cooperate with CTSAMVM and other peace monitoring institutions in their effort to investigate any violations of the Agreement committed by any party so that the peace process is implemented and violators are held accountable," the statement noted.

IGAD member states include; Uganda, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan.

"It was with deep shock the IGAD Council of Ministers came to learn about the detention, physical assault and abuse perpetrated upon CTSAMVM team on December, 18 at Lure Training Center by men in military uniform and civilian attires of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU)," the ministers said.