South Sudanese rebels to push for political reforms
March 1, 2015 (KAMPALA) – South Sudanese rebels will continue to push for democratic political reforms in the country’s ruling party (SPLM), despite ongoing negotiations to restore peace, its national committee chairman for political mobilisation in Uganda said.
“The demand for reforms in the government and SPLM party is irreversible and unstoppable,” he added.
He said the armed opposition faction led by the country’s former vice-president, Riek Machar was determined to ensure the Greater Upper Nile, Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal regions witness political reforms during the Government of National Unity (GoNU) period.
“The struggle between SPLM/SPLA and the conservative dictatorial forces in the government of South Sudan is a struggle between the forces of change for a better and free society and those who want to loot and finish the country,” stressed the opposition statement.
Talks between the government and the armed opposition faction are ongoing in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia despite a series of violations by both parties on several cessations of hostilities agreements signed.
Oyet, however, said rebel leadership wants changes to be achieved in line with people’s demands when a final agreement is reached.
“We vow never to return the country to pre December 15, 2013, period in which the country was ransacked by greedy and selfish opportunist who are prepared to do more if left unabated,” he said.
According to the official, the reunification of the SPLM/SPLA with the conservative factions of the SPLM former detainees and the SPLM Juba factions is a “union of diversity”, which is “negative”.
“SPLM/SPLA with all its denominations in the newly created 21 states have opted for a paradigm shift which will see South Sudan completely transformed into a modern nation state united in diversity on a new political basis contrary to those who favor a system that would allow them loot or protect the wealth they have looted so far,” said Oyet.
“We are determined to create political space and level playing field for all political parties to usher in a free and fair development of multi-party democracy as oppose to having one inefficient, unaccountable and chaotic political party incapable of managing government business and integrating the country,” he added.
Several negotiations, including the intra-party dialogue conducted in Arusha-Tanzania aimed at reunifying the three different factions of South Sudan’s ruling party in order to restore peace and stability in the country are yet to achieve meaningful outcomes.
The African Union has threatened both sides with sanctions if they fail to end the conflict.
(ST)