S. Sudan in talks with Yauyau rebels to end conflict
July 4,2013 (JUBA)- South Sudan on Wednesday announced it had entered into talks with rebel leader, David Yauyau to find remedies of ending the conflict in its largest state of Jonglei.
President Kiir has vowed to pardon rebel leaders and their followers fighting against his government, should they respond to an amnesty issued in April, this year.
The amnesty, South Sudanese information said, establishes a legal framework for peace under which rebel leaders can officially be forgiven for crimes they may have committed while fighting against the Juba regime.
“In the coming days, the results of the conversations with the David Yauyau will be known. Efforts are being made. Elders from Murle and religious groups have initiated contacts”, Barnaba Marial told reporters in the capital, Juba on Wednesday.
They have taken advance steps and it is a just a matter of time and the result of their engagement will be made known to the public, he added.
In recent months, however, the Jonglei-based rebel group has lost several of its members, who have deserted, with many others arrested or killed in military offensives.
Currently the group claims it has approximately 3,000 members.
But, although the group still remain a threat, many believe peace should be given chance to prevail over military offensive.
“The current effort being made by the elders and the religious group, may well be the best opportunity to end the insurgency,” argued Dut Kuir Deng, a native of Jonglei’s Twic county.
However, although Deng believes peaceful efforts could be one of the ways to end the conflict in the region, others are less optimistic about the peaceful negotiations.
Ayuen Alier, a native of Jonglei’s Dukpadiet county insists that entering negotiations with the rebel will definitely weaken security and allow the promotion of rebellious mentalities in societies.
Minister Marial also said military operations will continue “on every single centimeter of the national territory”, alongside peaceful negotiations with the rebels.
“We will learn from the errors of the past in order not to repeat them”, he remarked.
Currently, only South Sudan Democratic Movement/Army (SSDM/A) rebel group has willingly responded to the amnesty pardon.
(ST)