SPLM/A-IO resumes participation in security mechanisms
April 4, 2022 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s armed opposition group (SPLM/A-IO) led by First Vice President Riek Machar has resumed participation in the security mechanisms after signing a peace deal on the unification of the command structure with the government under President Salva Kiir.
Machar, in a statement issued on Sunday, directed his officials and those engaged in the security structure to resume participation in all the mechanisms with immediate effect.
“Following the signature of the agreement on unification of the command of forces today April 3rd, 2022, in Juba, the SPLM/SPLA-IO leadership hereby lifts the suspension of participation of the SPLM/SPLA-IO in the meetings of security mechanisms namely, JDB, JTSC, JMCC, SDSR Board, CTSAMM, SSM as well the national Transitional Committee and Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission with immediate effects”, noted the statement extended to the Sudan Tribune.
The armed opposition leader made the decision to reverse the suspension after signing with Kiir a deal to unify the command structures of the forces.
The details of the deal will be worked in a matrix expected to be completed in a week.
Sources told the Sudan Tribune on Sunday that the deal gives president Kiir 60% representation in the command structure and 40% to the opposition.
It, however, remains unclear how the opposition would make the distribution of the nominees to fill key positions allocated to each group in the military, police, and national security forces.
The unification of rival armies’ command is one of several crucial unresolved issues holding up the implementation of the 2018 deal to end the country’s bloody civil war.
(ST)