Senior party representatives on the board of the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) have urged the Mechanism and the caretaker government to investigate an ambush that killed two Ethiopian peacekeepers in Jonglei State in August and bring those responsible to justice.
The attack near Pajut in Jonglei State left two Ethiopian peacekeepers dead and seven other people wounded, including three peacekeepers, two South Sudan National Police Service officers and two civilian staff.
The calls were made during Thursday’s meeting of CTSAMVM in Juba, where representatives also raised concerns about insecurity, the fragile ceasefire and preparations for the 22 December 2026 elections.
Maj Gen. Dr. Chuol Ruey, the SPLM-IO senior representative, called on the government to investigate the attack and urged CTSAMVM to continue its monitoring activities until those responsible are identified.
“We therefore urge the government to monitor and investigate the matter, and CTSAMVM should also continue and pursue its activities until these culprits are identified and brought to book,” he said. “We urge the CTSAMVM to continue its unwavering commitment to engage with all the parties who are fighting each other because we know the ceasefire is shaky.
“We also urge all the warring parties to restrain and uphold the ceasefire so that peace is maintained,” Gen. Ruey added.
For his part, Maj Gen. Wuoi Mayom Deng, the senior representative of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity, condemned the attack and called for cooperation between CTSAMVM, the United Nations Mission and national authorities to establish the facts.
“An attack on peacekeepers is an attack on peace itself,” he stated, while condoling with the government and people of Ethiopia and the families of those killed.
He said the perpetrators must be identified and prosecuted.
Gen. Mayom warned that armed mobilization, attacks on positions and supply routes, and the spreading of fear among communities threatened the electoral process.
“These acts violate both the letter and the spirit of the permanent ceasefire,” he said.
He urged CTSAMVM to expand monitoring and patrols in conflict-prone areas, particularly Jonglei State, and accelerate verification and reporting of ceasefire violations ahead of the elections.
Meanwhile, Maj Gen. Bior Leek, the senior representative of the Other Political Parties (OPP), also demanded accountability, saying the government and the army headquarters should provide clear information about those responsible for the ambush.
“Yes, we condemn the killing of the peacekeepers, but the SSPDF and the government should give us clear investigations about who was responsible for that ambush,” he said.
He argued that protecting civilians, their property and peacekeeping forces was a government responsibility.
Gen. Leek also questioned the implementation of the peace agreement and expressed concern over restrictions on movement that could affect political campaigns before the December elections.
“If we are going for elections, I think that order [checking free movement] is not in place because in the constitution of this country, there is a right movement of the citizens,” he said.
Maj Gen. Jany Kaway Yoakhor, the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSAO) senior representative, condemned the attack and expressed concern about the financial difficulties facing the monitoring mechanism. He warned that reduced donor support could weaken CTSAMVM’s ability to monitor violations across the country.
“How can we sustain the CTSAMVM’s work if there is no finance?” he asked.
Gen. Kaway said continued support was necessary for the monitoring body to fulfil its mandate as the country approached the elections scheduled for December 22, 2026.
The representatives called for renewed commitment to the peace agreement, dialogue among political leaders and continued monitoring to prevent further violations and protect civilians.
Their concerns come as South Sudan prepares for its first general elections since independence, with security, freedom of movement and implementation of the peace agreement remaining key issues ahead of the planned polls.
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