S. Sudan rebels reject selection process for stakeholder delegates

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

June 15, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) –The SPLM in opposition on Sunday opposed stakeholders delegates’ selection process conducted last week at a multi-stakeholders symposium in South Sudan held in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

South Sudan civil society organisations, political parties, religious groups and former political detainees last week nominated their representatives to the IGAD led peace talks in the absence of many invited civil society groups representing to stakeholders outside government controlled areas.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, Hussein Mar Nyuot, SPLM opposition’s spokesperson to the IGAD led peace talks said the process of nominating representatives has not been transparent and inclusive.

The group said the 14 civil society organizations which were selected in a process facilitated by USAID in collaboration with IGAD, Ethiopia and Juba to take part at the multi-stakeholders symposium were disregarded.

The group demanded clarification over what it said was “faulty process” before resumption of new round of peace talks with government.

“The SPLM/SPLA seriously objects to this faulty process and calls for a credible, transparent, and inclusive process to be conducted for selecting other stakeholder’s delegates” said the statement.

A rebel Source late on Sunday told Sudan Tribune they have decided to boycott the opening ceremony of IGAD peace talks scheduled for tomorrow Monday 16/6/2014 if their demand of “fair and just inclusion of all stakeholders to peace is not met”.

“By taking this position SPLM/SPLA reiterates its commitment to a genuine inclusive process,” he further emphasised

The South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Agency (SSRRA) in Addis Ababa has protested to the Kenyan envoy to the IGAD mediation, General Lazarus Sumbeiywo, over the selection process.

“We have rejected the civil society nomination processes. It was flawed, incredible, and unfair and politically motivated,” Puoch Riek Deng, public relations officer of SSRRA told Sudan Tribune last week.

The SPLM in opposition in its latest statement reaffirmed its commitment to the May 9 agreement signed between the leaders of the two warring SPLM factions.

According to the agreement the two sides will completely stop fighting and will forge a unity government within two months.

(ST)