Civil society activist Edmund Yakani has welcomed the
decision by the Chief of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) to
cease attacks on "friendly" SPLA-IO in cantonment sites.
On Monday, the SSPDF Chief of Defense Forces called on
SPLA-IO soldiers, especially those in hiding or remote areas, to report to the
nearest SSPDF barracks or government outposts. Personnel near Juba are
instructed to report to the Digali Training Center.
However, SPLA-IO spokesperson Lam Paul Gabriel said the
SPLA-IO only takes orders from its commanders, not from the SSPDF.
"This is completely a misplaced assumption of command
by the SSPDF. The SPLA-IO is an Independent National Movement that only takes
its orders from its Leadership and Commanders," Lam stated.
SSPDF also ordered its forces to halt hostilities against "friendly" SPLA-IO forces stationed in designated cantonment areas.
This move comes amid clashes between government forces and
SPLA-IO forces following the Nasir conflict.
Edmund Yakani, executive director of Community Empowerment for Progress, acknowledged the importance of the decision.
“I would like to take this opportunity with high respect to
welcome and appreciate the decision of the Chief of Defence Forces for South
Sudan People's Defence Forces for ordering South Sudan People's Defence Forces
to cease attacks on SPLA-IO cantonment sites,” Yakani said on Tuesday.
Yakani further emphasized that the ceasefire aligns with the
provisions of the 2017 Cessation of Hostilities and Permanent Ceasefire
Agreement, as outlined in Chapter 2 of the R-ARCSS (Revitalized Agreement on
the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan).
“That means a ceasefire is declared and we hope that it is
in line with the provision of chapter 2 of the R-Access, specifically the
cessation of hostility and permanent ceasefire agreement of 2017,” he added.
Appealing to both sides, Yakani urged all military
commanders, including those of SPLA-IO, to respect the ceasefire and prioritize
dialogue over conflict.
“I would like to appeal to CDF that I hope this decision will hold water and I hope also SPLM-IO commanders will respect this because we believe that any political differences that we have in our country can be resolved through dialogue,” he added.