Monitors worry over risk to South Sudan peace deal

International monitors in South Sudan say they are worried over the continued clashes threatening the implementation of a revitalised peace deal.Sporadic clashes are being reported in different parts of the country pitting government forces and different opposition armed groups.

The ceasefire observers say they have been documenting skirmishes in Central Equatoria state allegedly involving the government forces and the rebel National Salvation Front (NAS).

There have also been violent attacks in different centres being reported in Upper Nile State and Central Equatoria states where forces are being trained.The monitors have urged regional body Igad's leadership to urge South Sudan to take urgent action to prevent the training camps from disintegrating "preventing the graduation of trainees and the formation of a unified national army".

“We remain concerned that if this situation continues, there are risks to implementation of the revitalised agreement – especially the ceasefire," said Teshome Gemechu Aderie, the chairperson of the security monitoring body, CTSAMVM.

In April, the UN Security Council warned of a risk of a return to a large-scale conflict in South Sudan, due to the slow implementation of the peace agreement.

President Salva Kiir and his former arch-rival, Riek Machar, now First Vice-President, signed a peace deal in September 2018 - but insecurity is still rife in the country.