South Sudan opposition leaders urge inclusion in Sudan peace process
April 7, 2024 (JUBA) – A South Sudanese opposition has said an inclusive peace process is important in ending Sudan’s ongoing conflict before its spillover effects are witnessed.
Lam Akol Ajawin, the National Democratic Movement (NDM) leader said the situation in Sudan was important requiring the generating of ideas and dialogue to find an amicable solution before it extends to countries in the region.
“This discussion is very important because Sudan and South Sudan were once one country. It was expected this discussion should have started a long time ago, but like they say better late than never. South Sudan and Sudan in the first place were one country. Secondly, as citizens, we share a lot of things, social relations, economics, and so on. Also, South Sudan and Sudan have the longest border, almost 2000 kilometers and this makes it easy for movement of people,” said Akol.
He added, “And thirdly, whatever happens in one affects the other side.”
The veteran politician said the question of South Sudanese trapped in Sudan and found themselves fighting either for Sudanese army (SAF) or conscripted by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) resulted from the inability to escape when the war broke out in mid-April, 2023.
“There are South Sudanese in Sudan who could not flee when the conflict erupted and are now caught in the fight, some of them forcefully conscripted and are fighting on both sides. They are not mercenaries. They are conscripts, fighting in the war against their will. They fall under the category of stranded people because they could not find their way out of the conflict”, he explained.
Justin Joseph Marona, a leading member of the armed opposition (SPLM-IO) said it was time political forces, whether inside or outside the government worked together to come out with a proposal to end the situation in neighbouring Sudan.
“This is an important issue. Let us have an open membership drawing all SPLM, SPLM-IO, SSOA, and all political organizations and we put the case of Sudan as the issue that brings all of us together. Put the issue of Sudan as the issue that unites and we think together and come out with a position and we go tell this committee of no entry that you people of no entry that we as politicians, including SPLM, the ruling party, we have seen that is our proposal of the case of Sudan,” he said.
The SPLM-IO official explained that other countries in the region were concerned with the escalation of the conflict in Sudan, persuading them to offer mediation.
“We have ideas we would like to advance and deliver. Some so many people want to play a role in the course, even Libya which has many armed groups and confusion,” he stressed.
Last week, a public engagement of academics from Sudan and South Sudan, members of the civil society, journalists, legislators, and current and former government officials who had served in Sudan before secession pushed for an inclusive peace process aimed at ending the war in Sudan.
(ST)