Opposition parties dismiss leader from S. Sudan peace talks
September 12, 2014 (JUBA) – The coalition of South Sudanese political parties have announced the dismissal of their leader from taking part in the Addis Ababa peace negotiation, claiming he caused disagreements with the government delegation.
At a press conference held in Juba, members South Sudan political parties’ forum said three new lawmakers have been proposed for selection by President Salva Kiir.
“We have officially dismissed Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin from representation of the political parties to the [peace] talks and as head of political parties to Addis,” said Martin Elias Lomoro, the chairman of South Sudan Democratic front (SSDF) party.
“We should clarify that as we sit here, the chair[man] of the political parties leadership if the President of the Republic ,” added Lomoro, also South Sudan’s minister for cabinet affairs.
The current Transitional Constitution of South Sudan only recognises political parties that participated in the country’s 2010 general elections before it broke away from Sudan. The world’s newest country has not registered all political parties, including the ruling SPLM.
According to the political parties’ guiding documents, however, the leader of the ruling party (SPLM) chairs the forum, while the largest opposition party heads other political parties.
“ILLEGAL DISMISSAL”
But SPLM-DC leaders, at a meeting held in Juba Thursday, described Akol’s dismissal from the talks as a “trick” by government to silence the powerful opposition entity.
“It is a trick by the government to intimidate [opposition] and we are not worried about it,” Andrew Okony Ayom, the SPLM-DC leader in parliament told reporters.
Okony accused some unmanned opposition parties of allegedly being used by government to mock his party.
“We must be keen to come together to see that our country is not disintegrated the way it is now,” said Okony, referring to the eight months old fighting that has pinned supporters of President Kiir against his former deputy Riek Machar.
Last week, South Sudan’s information minister Michael Makuei Lueth accused Akol pushing to lead the transitional government after the latter claimed the document South Sudan government signed with rebels in Addis Ababa was not discussed.
Akol, however, described as “illegal” his dismissal by members of the opposition groups.
Talks between South Sudan’s warring parties were due to resume on 13 September after it was postponed by mediators from the intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) last month. As stakeholders to the talks, the leader of the political parties is expected to be appointed by president Kiir this weekend.
(ST)