SPLM-IO begins “serious” discussions over fate of agreement: spokesperson

January 21, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – The leadership of the armed opposition faction, SPLM-IO, has begun its consultative meeting in Pagak, the general headquarters, over the fate of the peace agreement which its top leadership signed in August 2015 with President Salva Kiir’s government.

Former Vice-President and leader of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), Riek Machar, on Tuesday recalled senior members of his advance team from Juba to Pagak to consult over what they said were violations by the government in the implementation of the peace deal.

Official spokesperson of the opposition’s leadership, James Gatdet Dak, confirmed to Sudan Tribune on Thursday that the meeting, which may run for a number of days, started on Thursday under the chairmanship of Machar, chairman and commander-in-chief of the opposition faction who would also become First Vice-President per the agreement.

“Yes, the leadership meeting kicked off on Thursday, January 21, in Pagak, the general headquarters,” Dak said.

He said the leadership consultative meeting involves senior political and military leaders of the movement.

The agenda of the meeting, he added, is drawn from the outstanding issues in the peace agreement including the amendment of the transitional constitution. Dak said the amendment of the constitution was delayed by the attempt to impose 28 states by President Kiir.

He also said implementation of the security arrangements and preparations for formation of a transitional government of national unity are part of the agreement.

“It is a serious discussion examining the status of the implementation of the peace agreement, its obstacles and a way forward,” he said, without providing further details.

He added that the discussions may take a number of days, saying it was unrealistic for the team to return to Juba by Thursday as previously scheduled, when it was thought that the meeting was going to take place on Tuesday.

The opposition leader’s spokesperson reiterated the commitment of the opposition faction to implement the peace agreement, saying he could not however preempt the outcome of the meeting in Pagak.

He however added that there was serious concern over the “non-commitment” of the government to implement the deal in accordance with its provisions, saying the attempt by the government to open up the agreement for renegotiation was not in the interest of peace in the country.

(ST)