South Sudan rebel conference gets underway in Pagak
December 8, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan’s rebel SPLM in Opposition faction led by former vice-president Riek Machar officially opened a consultative conference on Monday, with delegates to deliberate on proposals put forward during Addis Ababa peace talks with the government.
“The conference officially started on Monday. It delayed from the initial Friday schedule because some of our top generals from Jonglei state arrived a bit late. All have now arrived,” the rebel leader’s spokesperson, James Gatdet Dak, told Sudan Tribune on Monday.
The consultative conference, he said, which convenes in the rebel-controlled border town of Pagak, close to the Ethiopian border, was opened by Machar, who explained the significance of the gathering in order to chart a way forward in arresting the ongoing conflict.
Dak said chief rebel negotiator Taban Deng Gai made extensive presentation to the conference on the peace process, explaining the various positions in the negotiations.
Hundreds of delegates were in attendance, including members of the SPLM leadership council, top military officers, traditional leaders, representatives from the diaspora, as well as civil society organisations and faith-based groups, and foreign observers.
He said deliberations may continue for the next few days, adding that the gathering was “cordial and focused”.
However, other sources within the rebel movement said some top generals informally expressed their rejection to a power-sharing arrangement that would see president Salva Kiir remain as the country’s leader during a proposed transitional period, reiterating alls for him to step down.
(ST)