Addis Ababa, August 28, 2015 (SSNA) — The leader of South Sudanese rebels Dr. Riek Machar has declared permanent truce with Salva kiir’s government forces, saying his armed movement is committed to peace and it abides by the IGAD-Plus signed document.
In an order extended to the South Sudan news Agency (SSNA), Machar cites Chapter II article 1.1 of the IGAD-Plus’s compromise peace agreement on the resolution of South Sudan’s civil war as reason for his order.
“Reference to Chapter II article 1.1 of the agreement on the resolution of the conflict in the Republic of south Sudan signed on 17th August 2015 in Addis Ababa, and 26th August 2015 in Juba, I, Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLM/SPLA), hereby order all SPLM/SPLA forces to cease fire in the country as of midnight 29th August 2015,” the directive reads in part.
The leader of the armed opposition also orders the SPLA-IO forces to remain alert and to act only if they are attacked by the rival forces.
“All forces are to remain alert in their current positions and to act only on self defence or respond upon aggression,” Machar further stated.
On Thursday, the rebel leader also said government troops attacked SPLA-IO’s positions in the oil-rich Unity State and accused Juba of violating the peace deal.
Dr. Machar signed the IGAD-Plus’s compromise peace agreement on the 17th of August. His opponent, Kiir, signed the pact on August 26 in Juba; nine days after he declined to sign the same document in Ethiopia.