SSNMC condemn assault on its cantonment base in Gbudue State. South Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC) would like to condemn, in the strongest term possible, assault on its cantonment base in Gbudue State. 

This is a blatant and intentional violation of CoHA and R-ARCSS. 

At around 4:00 am, today, the 1st of May 2019, the high authority of Gbudue State ordered 

government forces to launch military assault on SSNMC cantonment in Basukangbi County. 

As one of the partners to the R-ARCSS, SSNMC has prior orders that its forces must never engage but take defensive positions. Unfortunately, Government forces captured the wife and five children of our sector Commander, in charge of the forces at the cantonment, plus unknown number of civilian boys. 

SSNMC demand immediate release of the wife and five children of our Sector Commander plus any civilian incarcerated during the operation. 

On 26 April 2019, in accordance with the peace agreement, CTSAM visited SSNMC at Basukangbi County to confirm the cantonment site. Evidence indicate that the authorities of Gbudue State is not in favor of SSOA cantonment in the State. 

This assault is a deliberate plan to deny the existence of SSOA/SSNMC forces in the State except those of IO. 

We condemn the use of CTSAM visit to know the whereabouts of partners to the agreement and thereafter launch assault against their positions; disregarding the fact that the senior leaders of SSOA and in fact SSNMC for that matter are in Juba working hand-in-hand with the Government to facilitate the implementation the peace agreement. 

The Chairman of SSNMC has been in contact with the Governor of Gbudue State on several 

occasions, advocating for peace and that SSNMC forces are friendly forces (never brutalized civilians before) and any assault on such friendly forces is an absolute violation of CoHA. 

An attack on SSNMC forces in cantonment is an attack on the peace agreement itself. 

We reiterate our position that SSNMC’s resort to bring peace to South Sudan is unwavering. 

Therefore, we are determined to work with any level of Government to implement R-ARCSS in the best interest of our suffering people of South Sudan who need peace the most. 

We urge the peace-loving people of South Sudan and the world at large to condemn this barbaric act against peace partners. 

SOUTH SUDAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE 

Contact: Daniel Zingifuaboro 

Position: Secretary of Information and Official Spokesperson of SSNMC 

Phone: +61 474 047 016