SPLM-IO approves JMEC timetable for formation of transitional government

December 17, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – The leadership of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) announced it has agreed to the recent timetable submitted to the warring parties in South Sudan by the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) to carry out activities towards formation of the transitional government of national unity which should run the country for the next 30 months.

“Reference to your letter with Ref: JMCE/c/c/2015M/8 dated 14 December 2015 and your letter dated 15 December 2015, I am hereby informing your esteem offices that SPLM/SPLA (IO) fully agrees to the compromise plan: numbers and timetable on the arrival of the Advance Team to Juba and States of South Sudan. The timetable and days of departure from Pagak, South Sudan and arrival to Juba, South Sudan may change once GRSS give us the clearance to go Juba and other logistical arrangements are in place,” said SPLM-IO chief negotiator, Taban Deng Gai, in a letter addressed to the chairman of JMEC, Festus Mogae.

“The first group to arrive to Juba shall include the Chief negoatiator, SPLM/SPLA (IO) representatives and Support Staff to JMEC/JMCC/NCAC/CTSAMM as well as our team for selection of the TGoNU Ministerial portfolio,” further reads the letter, dated 17 December, extended to Sudan Tribune on Thursday.

Officials of the opposition faction however said the first group of the team will not travel to Juba as previously thought, as they have been waiting for written clearance from the government as well as putting final touches on the logistics for the transportation of the 609 advance team members approved by JMEC and IGAD.

They said the first group of 150 may travel in the “next few days.”

(ST)