South Sudan opposition movements commit to cease all hostilities amidst COVID-19 pandemic
The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) welcomes the statement by the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) committing to align itself with the UN Secretary General’s (UNSG) call for a global ceasefire.
In its recent official statement and facilitated by HD, SSOMA has agreed to renew their commitment to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement it signed in Rome on 12 January 2020 with the Government of South Sudan, reiterating its concern for the general safety of the South Sudanese people in the midst of the ongoing pandemic.
SSOMA has also committed to partnering with relevant bodies to facilitate humanitarian access to South Sudan’s populations, allowing for the dissemination of basic health information and key health practices that can help mitigate the spread of coronavirus in the country.
“HD is pleased that the leadership of SSOMA has agreed to exercise goodwill at this critical point in time as part of the collective effort to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr Babatunde Afolabi, HD’s Regional Director for Anglophone and Lusophone Africa.
“We hope that this gesture will be a step towards long-term peace and stability in South Sudan.”
SSOMA’s recent ceasefire statement.
The recent statement was made by the Leadership Council of SSOMA, comprising the leaders of six armed movements and political parties, namely the National Salvation Front (NAS), the South Sudan United Front (SSUF), the South Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC), the Real Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (R-SPLM), the National Democratic Movement Patriotic Front (NDM/PF) and the United Democratic Revolutionary Alliance (UDRA).
HD’s engagement in South Sudan has mainly been through facilitating humanitarian dialogue, bringing together the government, humanitarian agencies as well as armed groups.
HD has also been facilitating the platforms where experts and donors share their analyses and reflections on the challenges facing humanitarian operations in South Sudan.