CTSAMM Team Denied freedom of movement by government authorities
By Ruth Feeney, Juba, South Sudan
CTSAMM
November 29, 2016, a CTSAMM Monitoring and Verification Team (MVT), were denied freedom of movement while trying to reach Yei to conduct an assessment of the area and carry out its mandated activities. The CTSAMM followed due process and notified the authorities, including the Joint Military Ceasefire Commission, on November 1st of their intention to travel to the area and had received assurances that access would be granted. However when the MVT began their journey from Juba this morning they were stopped at a check point on the outskirts of the city and told they would not be allowed pass beyond that point.
The CTSAMM would like to stress that it is an impartial, neutral body committed to pursuing its mandate to monitor the implementation of the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements (PCTSA) as laid out in the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS). The CTSAMM regards this task as an integral part of restoring peace and stability in South Sudan and in turn, help bring an end to the long suffering of the people.
The CTSAMM would like to reiterate that it has a legal right to be present in South Sudan as stipulated in Chapter II of the ARCSS, and condemns, in the strongest terms, the denial of freedom of movement for the CTSAMM MVTs. The CTSAMM is operating according to processes and accords which have been agreed to by the former warring Parties, regional and international partners.
The CTSAMM is calling on the Transitional Government of National Unity to intervene in this issue to ensure the CTSAMM can visit Yei to conduct its mission.”
Ruth Feeney is the Senior Communications Officer, Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism CTSAMM MVTs. Reached at +211 926999901
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