South Sudanese government discusses IGAD peace agreement
August 24, 2015 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese government government discussed Monday the compromise peace document, which the armed opposition leader, Riek Machar and Pagan Amum, who represented the former detainees, signed last week.
“And so it is agreed that we enblisted our concerns and then return to the same group of people [cabinet ministers and governors of the states] who are the leaders of South Sudan to make the final decision to whether or not to sign the propose compromise peace agreement,” said Lomoro.
President Kiir declined to sign the agreement and requested for 15 more days to consult his constituents. However, Monday’s meeting was one of many such consultations held a week after the South Sudan leader failed to honour the mediators’ 17 August deadline.
Juba rejects the move to demilitarise the capital and provisions of a power-sharing deal.
According to Lomoro, Monday’s meeting was much detailed and focused on real issues.
“We were going page by page. For example the chapter one regarding the structure of government and to ceasefire, government of Transitional Unity agreement. We also went to transitional justice and so on,” he said, but did not elaborate on what was proposed.
The minister avoided questions from reporters on the timing of Monday’s meeting given that only seven of the 15 days requested for by President Kiir were remaining.
“Nationalistic exercise that we went through line by line and page by page [to study] the position of SPLM, the position of political parties, the position of governors and then comments from the rounds the country,” stressed the cabinet affairs minister.
Sources claim there is division within government and no consensus was reached during four-hour meeting at state house. It is not clear to which team the president belongs.
Last week, Kiir assured the United State Secretary of State, John Kerry he would ink the deal, although some hardliners in government are said to be opposed to the agreement.
(ST)