Juba demands reducing number of SPLM-IO advance team

December 7, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudanese government has demanded reduction in number of the advance team of armed opposition members slated to return to the country as part of preparations for the implementation of peace agreement which the parties signed in August.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, information and broadcasting minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, said the number of the advance team of armed opposition returning to the country ahead of the return of the armed opposition leader and first vice president designate, Riek Machar, “was huge.”

“That number is huge and we have asked them through the IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) to reduce the number of that advance team. That is the position of the government and we are very clear on that. Our position is very clear. We are saying these 589 members are uncalled for, because it is no longer an advanced team but it is actually repatriation,” said Lueth.

Lueth, who speaks for the government as its spokesperson said Juba also rejects any delay and setting of new date set by IGAD for the arrival of the advance team of the armed opposition members.

He confirmed that the government has received a list of 589 names of members of the armed opposition.

“The IGAD has set the new date. They are talking of the 11th of December as the date for their arrival in the country. This is not an agreed date. That is a proposal from Seyoum Mesfin, but we have not agreed on the figures,” said Lueth.

The comments by the minister indicates that the team of the opposition may not travel to Juba on Friday, 11 December as planned unless the government changes its mind or the opposition is forced to reduce the number of the advance team.

(ST)