The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has joined other regional organisations to condemn fighting in South Sudan.
In a statement on Sunday, RJMEC said it strongly condemns the violence in Upper Nile State and the “abhorrent March 7 attack” on a United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) helicopter during an evacuation mission in Nasir County.
“An UNMISS crew member and numerous members of forces belonging to the Parties to the Revitlised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) lost their lives, with many others sustaining serious injuries,” the statement said.
RJMEC is responsible for monitoring and overseeing the implementation of the South Sudan Peace Agreement and the mandate and tasks of the government.
This includes the adherence of the parties to the agreed timelines and implementation schedule. In case of non-implementation of the mandate and tasks of the transitional government, or other serious deficiencies, the RJMEC recommends appropriate corrective action.
The attack happened during an attempt by the UN to evacuate members of the national army.
One crew member died when a UN helicopter was shot at, a statement from its mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, said. It added that an injured South Sudanese general and several other troops were also killed during the evacuation attempt in Upper Nile state.
The UN said the attack on its helicopter “may constitute a war crime”.
Twenty-seven South Sudanese soldiers were killed in total, Information Minister Michael Makuei told Reuters.
Terming the incident as unfortunate and avoidable, RJMEC urged all the parties involved to immediately cease any further hostilities, give dialogue a chance and ensure calm is quickly restored.
“In this regard, the Commission appeals to the Presidency of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to take all necessary actions to further de-escalate the situation.
“The Commission further urges the Joint Defence Board (JDB) to deligently exercise its command and control functions and responsibilities over all the organised forces,” it said.
Additionally, the Commission urged the National Transitional Committee (NTC) to expeditiously fastrack the unification and deployment of all forces to maintain peace throughout the country to avert the recurrence of such incidents in the future.
“With barely two weeks into the extended Transitional Period, violations of the Permanent Ceasefire threatens the gains made over the past seven years since the Revitalized Peace Agreement was signed, and undermines confidence among South Sudan people, regional and international community,” it warned.
RJMEC asked the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), to undertake a verification mission to the area, and provide a detailed report with recommendations.
South Sudan has in recent months degenerated in intercommunal fighting, which has escalated in recent weeks.
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