S. Sudan rebels legislative body ratifies IGAD compromise peace deal
September 10, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudanese armed opposition faction, SPLM-IO, has on Thursday ratified the IGAD Plus compromise peace agreement, paving the way for full implementation of the deal as the government similarly ratified the accord on the same day.
“National Liberation Council of SPLM/SPLA on Thursday, September 10, 2015, in Pagak deliberated on and unanimously ratified the peace agreement on the resolution of the conflict in the Republic of South Sudan,” said James Gatdet Dak, rebel leader’s press secretary, in a statement he issued on Thursday.
Dak added that the opposition’s top leader, Machar, was also nominated by the council to take the post of the first vice president in the would-be formed transitional government of national unity (TGONU).
The endorsement of the peace deal by the rebel leadership also coincided with the ratification of the accord by the government in Juba.
The move is in implementation of the provision in the agreement which calls for the two warring parties to ratify the deal in a week after its signing. The agreement was first signed by the opposition leader Machar on 17 August, followed by president Kiir on 26 August.
After the ratification, the full implementation of the deal is expected to kick off, with the first three months of the pre-transitional period to witness preparations for formation of the transitional government by the end of November or first week of December.
Dak added that the meeting of the national liberation council in Pagak would continue for the next few days to discuss other matters pertaining to the implementation of the agreement.
He said their selected senior commanders were ready to participate in a workshop in Addis Ababa on ceasefire and security arrangements.
He stressed that the opposition faction is committed to full implementation of the peace agreement.
SPLA-IO READY FOR CEASEFIRE WORKSHOP
On a related development, military spokesperson of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA-IO) under the leadership of former vice president, Riek Machar, said their members to ceasefire workshop were ready to take part in the meeting aimed to implement the security arrangements drawn from the peace agreement signed by president Salva Kiir and Machar in August.
Colonel William Gatjiath Deng in a statement he issued on Thursday said senior military officers that will participate in the workshop were briefed on Thursday in the SPLA-IO General Headquarters of Pagak on the importance of the workshop by the chairman and commander-in-chief, Riek Machar.
“Today at 9:00 AM, the 10th of Sept. 2015, the chairman of Sudan People Liberation Movement/Army, SPLM/SPLA, Dr. Riek Machar Teny held an important meeting with the generals at Pagak GHQs and he also briefed them on how they will share ideas with Juba generals,” said Colonel Deng.
He said the selected senior officers will be available in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on Friday, 11 September, to take part in the workshop to be convened by the IGAD mediation.
The workshop which will be attended by senior military commanders from the two rival armies of president Kiir and opposition leader, Machar, will discuss and agree on the size of joint forces and declare the number of their respective forces and areas under their control.
(ST)