Sudan vows to tackle row over command structure in Juba
March 31, 2022 (JUBA) – The Sudanese government has vowed to tackle the row over the unification of the command structure in South Sudan, warning of its impact on regional and global security if not well managed.
Sudan’s Defense minister, Yassin Ibrahim Yassin pledged his country’s commitment to help South Sudan resolve the stalemate resulting from differences on how to handle key provisions in the 2018 peace agreement.
He specifically cited the security arrangements within the revitalized peace accord.
The minister urged South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar to work together in order to unite the country and set in motion a process to identify the comprehensive changes that will strengthen the rule of law, unite South Sudanese, deepen constitutionalism and launch a comprehensive reform process to consolidate this momentous opportunity.
“Issues of peace and security are not issues of one political organization in the state of South Sudan or the Republic of Sudan. It is a regional and international community issue,” Yassin told the state-owned SSBC.
According to Defense minister, the Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan visited Uganda and presented to the Ugandan leader and his cabinet a proposal, which was accepted.
The same proposal, he stressed, was presented to the South Sudanese President Salva Kiir who also accepted it and made an important decision.
“If there are issues, the other parties will have to present their views within the framework of the security arrangements and the spirit with which negotiations are continuing,” stressed Yassin.
The Sudanese official lauded the Juba delegation led by Kiir’s security advisor, Tut Gatluak Manime for their proposal on the unification of the army command and graduation of unified forces to Sudan’s government.
He also praised President Kiir for accepting to resolve the dispute around the unification of the high command and the graduation of unified forces.
Sudan is the current chair of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and one of the guarantors of the September 2018 peace deal, alongside Uganda.
(ST)