Red Army Foundation: The root cause of the deadly clashes in Juba, South Sudan
4 min readPress statement from the Red Army Foundation
July 10, 2016 (SSB) — It’s extremely unfortunate that after the remarkable formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGONU), which had started making some progress with the Implementation of the Peace Agreement, deadly clashes have occurred in Juba and many lives have been lost suddenly in just a few days, which is quite saddening.
We appreciate the timely joint statement of the Presidency from H.E. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of the Republic, H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny, the 1st Vice President and H.E. Gen. James Wani Igga, the Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, who together called for calm among the people and ordered for restraint among the rival forces, to prevent further outbreak of violence.
We would especially like to appreciate H.E. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of the Republic of South Sudan for the wise leadership demonstrated in this very difficult situation, which he was able to quickly control and prevent from unnecessarily escalating and spiraling out of control.
In the same spirit, we would like to specially appreciate H.E. the President for ensuring the safety of H.E. the 1st Vice President and H.E. the Vice President, who were together with him in the Presidential Palace (J1), when the deadly clashes occurred outside the Presidential Palace.
However, we would like to observe that, as much as it is important to call for calm and restraint among the rival forces, it is not enough to prevent and guarantee that similar clashes will not occur again, if the root cause of these clashes is not fully addressed.
The root cause of these clashes is obviously the existence of two rival forces in the same territory, and if this is not quickly addressed, we can rest assured that more similar clashes will continue being experienced, because of the tensions between the two rival forces, which is an obvious conflict flashpoint. A single gunshot from one undisciplined soldier on either side will immediately escalate into armed confrontation and deadly clashes between rival forces in the same territory.
The same tensions would definitely be experienced if SPLA forces are deployed in SPLA-IO controlled territory, for example in Pagak. This is simple commonsense, not rocket science.
Therefore, the only solution to permanently prevent these clashes is to review the Security Arrangements under the Peace Agreement (ARCISS) and ensure that all rival forces remain only within their respective territories of control.
The members of the SPLA-IO who are present in Juba can remain under the protection of UN Peacekeepers, who can also provide security to H.E. the 1st Vice President and his delegation in Juba.
This is the most practical solution that will fully prevent deadly clashes among rival forces, death of innocent civilians and destruction of property.
For example, if the SPLA-IO forces had not come to Juba, there would definitely not have been any deadly clashes in Juba, the SPLA-IO forces would not have suffered casualties, the SPLA forces would not have suffered casualties as well and the innocent civilians and their property would also be safe.
If our Late Leader and Hero Dr. John Garang De Mabior or H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit had insisted on taking big forces to Khartoum during the implementation of the CPA, most probably there would have been deadly clashes in Khartoum between the SPLA forces and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), and that would have negatively affected or even completely hindered the implementation of the CPA.
Therefore, we conclude by calling upon all the parties to the Peace Agreement (ARCISS), the JMEC, all the peace partners including TROIKA, UN, AU and IGAD, among others, as well as the UN Security Council, to immediately review the Security Arrangements under the Peace Agreement and ensure that all SPLA-IO forces return to their territory of control in Pagak and the SPLA-IO delegation in Juba, including H.E. the 1st Vice President, remain under the protection of the UN Peacekeepers, because it has been tested and proven by the deadly clashes in Juba that the current security arrangements under ARCISS are not practical.
We also take this opportunity to advise all journalists and media houses to report professionally as required by Law and only provide accurate confirmed information on the prevailing situation, to prevent fear and escalation of tensions through unprofessional reporting and misrepresentation of the true account of events.
Signed,
DENG BOL ARUAI BOL
National Chairperson,
Red Army Foundation
E-mail: redarmyfoundation@gmail.com
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