December 24th 2018 (Nyamileledia) – The SPLA-IO Deputy Chief of General Staff for Operation Gen. James Koang Chuol Ranley has urged the troops from both sides of the government and opposition to respect ceasefire but protect the civilians from external dangers.
Gen. Koang was speaking on Monday during a peace celebration ceremony conducted jointly by Northern Liech government and the opposition government of the state.
Speaking during the ceremony, Koang said the peace has been signed by the political leaders but it’s the turn of those holding guns to respect the agreement and make it real.
“Peace has come. I want all of you from the government and the opposition to respect the ceasefire agreement,” Gen. Koang said. “Your duty is to protect the civilians and the nation.”
Under regional and international pressure, South Sudan President, Salva Kiir Mayardiit and opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny signed a peace deal in September in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to end the war.
The agreement in Addis Ababa followed months of intense negotiations among delegates of the government and opposition who must, by the time, sign a pact or face international or further regional isolation.
The government in late October conducted a peace celebration ceremony in the capital Juba and was attended by regional leaders as well as the SPLM-IO leader Dr. Machar.
