S. Sudan rebels fault int'l community for inaction amid cease-fire violations

JUBA, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan's main rebel group Sudan People's Liberation Army-in opposition (SPLA-IO) on Monday said the international peace partners under Troika and regional leaders were "complicit" in the continued violation of the recently agreed Cessation of Hostilities (CoH).

A reliable source within Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the east African trade bloc, that IGAD permitted Taban Deng Gai as South Sudan's First Vice President with the knowledge of Troika to travel to greater Jonglei where he is currently causing more destruction and displacement to the civilians in areas under the control of the SPLA-IO, Lam Paul Gabriel, the deputy spokesman of the rebels said in a statement.

He added that this was absolutely unacceptable and requires explanation from the IGAD and Troika which includes Britain, United States and Norway whom he accused of contributing to the bloodshed in the youngest country.

The Troika and IGAD in July 2017 convened the High-Level Revitalization Forum seen as the last chance to salvage a weakened peace deal agreed upon in 2015 by the warring factions, but has been violated due to continued violence, despite stern warning by regional and international partners.

Gabriel also lauded the Cease-fire transitional Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) for trying their best to monitor violations happening after the two warring parties violated the CoH after they agreed on Dec. 21 to enforce.

He further urged them to be transparent and avoid giving intelligence reports to government on SPLA-IO positions.

"Secondly, the SPLA-IO calls upon CTSAMM to travel into our areas of control to get a clear report on violations instead of depending on press releases and phone calls," Gabriel said.

South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy turned rebel chief Riek Machar led to split within the SPLA, leaving soldiers to fight alongside ethnic lines.

The 2015 peace agreement to end the conflict was weakened after outbreak of renewed fighting in July 2016 caused the SPLA-in opposition rebel leader Machar to flee the capital. Enditem