SSPDF cancels all road movement for UNMISS and NGOs

Ahead of the ongoing SSPDF/SPLA-IO joint all-out military offensive against NAS positions, the SSPDF cancelled all road movement by the UNMISS and all other NGOs in a move that is believed to provide cover and deny NGOs access to areas where atrocities by the SSPDF- SPLA IO on civilians are most likely to happen.

UNMISS and other NGOs were notified of the cancellation through a letter dated May 04, 2020 (a day before the joint offensive started) by Maj. Gen. Majier Deng Kur, the Director for Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM/JVMM) and Peacekeeping.

According to a press release issued May 09 by Mr Suba Samuel, NAS spokesman, Kiir’s preferred path of war and destruction is not only futile but it is also indicative of his chronic lack of political will to negotiate and reach a peaceful settlement.

20200509 NAS Press Release on the all-out military offensive and displacement of civilians from their villages

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“NAS is aware that the government of Salva Kiir suffers from an incurable lack of political will to negotiate a political settlement to end the conflict in South Sudan but adamantly pursuing a futile path of war and destruction. These include recruitment of local militia such as Enough Militia under the Minister of Cabinet Affairs Dr Elia Lomoro,” the statement said.

Since the start of Kiir’s SSPDF and Machar’s SPLA-IO joint offensive on May 05, the aggressors have suffered several defeats and setbacks as NAS gallant forces continue to remain in protecting the civilians from the regime’s policy of displacement and terror.

While maintaining its commitment to the 2017 and 2019 CoHAs, and reserving the right to self-defense, the leader of NAS has also urged “members of International Community and international humanitarian organizations to closely monitor this worrying development and hold the government responsible for the suffering they are inflicting on civilians.”