South Sudan’s Salva Kiir to meet Machar next October in New York
September 18, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Former South Sudanese vice-president and leader of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) disclosed he will meet South Sudanese President Salva Kiir in New York next October.
“I will meet President Salva Kiir in New York next month for further consultations on the implementation of the peace agreement before my return to Juba in December,” Machar told reporters in Khartoum.
In line with the signed deal, Machar who will become the first vice-president has to “supervise the implementation of the reforms outlined in (the peace agreement) and exercise the powers, functions and responsibilities as provided in the agreement”.
The agreement also aims to create a collective leadership and a consensual spirit during the transition period asit provides that the ”Council of Ministers shall take decisions by consensus”.
He confirmed his return to Juba in December 2015 before the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity which should also include the former detainees group and the political forces that took part in the Addis Ababa June 2014 Symposium on IGAD-led Peace.
Machar confirmed he was subjected to African and international pressures to sign the deal. He reiterated his commitment to the ceasefire agreement but accused the government forces of violating it, adding they continue to attack the rebel controlled areas.
Further, he minimized the negative impact that the splinter rebel commanders led by Peter Gatdet can produce to hamper the implementation of the peace agreement.
“We do not see any impact for the dissident group on the ground. There were no clashes with them and there are no forces loyal to them,” he said.
Also, the former vice-president briefed the press about the interim period which will last for 30 months, saying it aims to achieve political reforms, introduce a federal system in the country and to establish a national army He added that the oil fields will be protected by a joint police force.
Regarding the impact of the peace agreement on Sudan, Machar said the pact will end the presence of the Sudanese armed groups in South Sudan adding that the successful implementation of the peace agreement will bring peace to the two parts of the former Sudan in the north and the south.
MEETING WITH MUSEVENI
Machar said he visited Khartoum on an invitation extended by President Bashir, adding that Museveni requested the latter to facilitate a meeting with him .
He said that his meeting with Museveni discussed the withdrawal of Ugandan troops, while he discussed with Bashir ways to support the implementation of the peace agreement and the disarmament of the Sudanese armed groups in South Sudan.
The During the past 20 months the SPLM-IO requested the withdrawal of the Ugandan army from South Sudan and disarmament of Sudanese rebel groups accused of supporting forces loyal to Salva Kiir.
The signed peace agreement provides that foreign troops allied to either warring parties should complete withdrawal within 45 days upon the signing of the peace agreement, ” with the exception of Western Equatoria State, based on agreements entered into by the Government of the Republic of South Sudan prior to the onset of the 15th December 2013 crisis”.
In addition, the South Sudanese parties also agreed that ”all non-state security actors including, but not limited to Sudanese Revolutionary Forces (SPLM-North, JEM, SLA-Minawi, SLA-Abdulwahid) shall be disarmed, demobilized and repatriated by the state actors with whom they have been supporting within the Pre-Transitional Period”.
(ST)