By Lodu William Odiya
The security situation in several parts of South Sudan remains unpredictable, with localized violence, abductions, armed clashes, and attacks along key roads continuing to threaten civilians and humanitarian operations.
Major General Dr. Hailu Endashaw Atomsa, Chairperson of the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), raised the concerns while opening the mechanism’s 8th Technical Committee Meeting at Dembesh Hotel in Juba.
“In Central Equatoria, road insecurity remained a concern, with reported ambushes and attacks against civilians. In Upper Nile, the situation remained particularly concerning in Ulang and Nasir, where reported clashes involving SSPDF, SPLM/A-IO, and the White Army resulted in casualties, displacement, and movement restrictions,” he said.
Gen. Atomsa said that although major military confrontations had declined in some areas, persistent localised insecurity continued to undermine the implementation of the peace agreement and the protection of civilians.
He cited security concerns in Greater Upper Nile, Jonglei, Central Equatoria, and other parts of the country, including armed clashes, intercommunal violence, cattle-related conflicts, abductions, forced recruitment, and road ambushes.
In Upper Nile, CTSAMVM has been monitoring reported incidents in Nasir County, while in Central Equatoria, its monitoring teams have investigated reported attacks and abductions along the Yei area and surrounding routes.
The mechanism also conducted air patrols to areas including Mandeng in Nasir County to verify reported security incidents.
Gen. Atomsa stressed the importance of sustained political commitment, dialogue, and communication among commanders and other stakeholders to prevent local disputes from escalating into wider conflict.
He said CTSAMVM Monitoring and Verification Teams had continued deploying to areas affected by reported violations despite operational challenges.
The chairperson also highlighted the need to protect civilians and humanitarian personnel, maintain access to key transport corridors, and ensure that parties to the peace agreement cooperate with investigations into alleged violations.
The meeting is considering verified reports concerning security incidents, including clashes in Nasir County and an attack in Atende Boma in Central Equatoria in which a local sub-chief and youths were reportedly abducted.
CTSAMVM previously reported that its Juba team conducted a long-duration patrol to Yei to investigate the reported abduction of the Atende Boma sub-chief and several youths.
Gen. Atomsa further called for stronger measures to prevent violations, protect civilians, and hold perpetrators accountable.
He also noted that CTSAMVM’s monitoring activities face financial and operational constraints, which could affect its ability to maintain field deployments and verification missions.
The meeting comes as South Sudan continues efforts to implement the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, with CTSAMVM maintaining that cooperation among the parties remains essential to sustaining the permanent ceasefire.
Gen. Atomsa formally declared the 8th Technical Committee Meeting open, urging participants to work collectively toward strengthening security, protecting civilians, and consolidating the peace process.