Rebel led by South Sudan’s ex-army chief, Gen. Paul Malong has accused government forces of attacking its bases in Greater Bahr el Ghazal region on contravention of a ceasefire agreement.

South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A), in a statement, condemned the attacks which allegedly resulted in some of its officers being taken hostage.

“We call upon the Community of Sant’Egidio particularly the CTSAMVM [Ceasefire & Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring & Verification Mechanism] to investigate the matter and exert pressure on Juba to release that hostage officer by the name Maj. Wol Bol and hand him back to our possession unharmed,” SSUF/A said in a statement issued Saturday.

CTSAMVM is the body mandated to monitor and verify the implementation of the agreement on the cessation of hostilities as per the 2018 peace deal.

Last month, South Sudanese opposition parties and government agreed to fully implement the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) and ensure all armed forces and its affiliates under its command and control at all times observe the ceasefire agreement, particularly provisions of prohibited acts.

The resolution on the ceasefire deal was reached at the end of an induction training course organized by the ceasefire monitors in Rome, Italy.

The parties also agreed to prevent any breach of the ceasefire agreement.

The parties further agreed to disseminate the CoHA, sensitize and train forces and affiliates under their command, control to ensure full compliance and undertake to hold forces accountable for violations.

SSUF/A, in the statement extended to Sudan Tribune, threatened that it would withdraw its commitment to the cessation of hostilities agreement should government forces continue attacking its positions in the Greater Bahr eh Ghazal region.

In March 2021, representatives of the government and South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) faction led Malong and Pagan Amum recommitted to a “cessation of hostilities agreement” signed on December 21, 2017.