South Sudan rebels hold consultations in Pagak
April 20, 2015 (PAGAK) – Leadership of the opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) led by former vice-president Riek Machar is converging in the rebel held town of Pagak close to the Ethiopian border to consult on the Addis Ababa peace process to end the 15-month-long war with president Salva Kiir’s government.
“The leadership of SPLM/SPLA kicked off a consultative meeting on Sunday, 19th April 2015, in Pagak, South Sudan,” he said in a statement copied to Sudan Tribune on Monday.
“Chairs and deputy chairs of various national and specialised committees, representatives of the Movement abroad, senior military commanders and governors of the states converged in the meeting,” he added.
Dak said the agenda will be discussing the status of the 15-month-long mediation process by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), including the proposed new mediation mechanism set to include the African Union (AU), EU, UN and troika countries of the US, UK and Norway, as well as China.
The opposition leader’s spokesperson further explained the meeting will also be discussing AU report on atrocities committed in the war.
“Status of the Arusha agreement between factions of the SPLM will also be looked into,” he said.
The agenda will also include dialogue with other political parties and former detainees, as well as political mobilisation and a report on the humanitarian situation in areas held by the movement.
Documents for approval and reports by governors in the rebel-held territories will also be tackled.
In his opening remarks, Machar reaffirmed his movement’s commitment to the peace process and called on the participants to deliberate on the issues and agree on the way forward.
Chief negotiator General Taban Deng Gai briefed the leadership meeting on the status of the peace process and the expected new mediation mechanism.
(ST)