S. Sudanese leaders reconvene in Tanzania for separate talks
January 9, 2015 (JUBA) – Separate talks bringing together three different factions of South Sudan’s governing Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) got underway in Arusha, Tanzania with the calls for hard decisions to end the ongoing conflict.
The internal political dialogue, facilitated by Tanzanian ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi is separate from that mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Deng Alor Kuol, while speaking on behalf of South Sudan’s former political detainees, expressed regret at the late resumption of the talks, saying its outcome could have enabled the warring factions agree on peaceful ways of resolving the conflict.
“What is expected of the Leadership of SPLM is taking hard decisions that would expedite the peace process in our country. We cannot continue to behave and act as if we are in normal conditions. South Sudan is no longer the same since the events of December 15th, 2013. Just over a year now, we cannot afford to continue behaving as if we live in cocoons”, Kuol said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.
He said the region and world were fatigued each time they see innocent lives being lost.
“We cannot continue to ignore their concerns as well as their commitment to assist us achieve lasting peace, else they will start developing ideas that may not be our best options on how to end the conflict in our country”, emphasized Kuol.
The former cabinet affairs minister said it was high time the leaders ended the suffering of the population and warned against impunity without accountability.
“Power should not be maintained at all cost nor should it be seized by force, while our populations are subjected to perpetual suffering. That is why we made a conscious decision not to pick up arms or join any belligerent party. War is and should not be an option because our people have suffered for so long,” said the ex-minister.
“We must stop the war and let us agree to reunite our party here in Arusha and move to conclude a comprehensive peace in Addis Ababa in order to embark on nation building,” he stressed.
Tens of thousands of people have died and nearly two million displaced as a result of the conflict which broke out due to political disputes within the ruling SPLM in 2013.
A worsening humanitarian situation raises fears for possible famine outbreak this year.
Peter Adwok Nyaba, who represented the faction allied to president Salva Kiir’s main political rival, Riek Machar at the talks said the armed opposition was fully committed to the peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and reunification of the party.
“I cherish that we leave Arusha as members of one SPLM committed to reforming, reorganizing, institutionalizing, revitalizing and returning the SPLM to it historic grandeur in order to steer our people towards peace, social harmony, justice, equality, democracy and prosperity”. Nyaba said in his opening address.
Nyaba, a former South Sudan education minister, said the separate talks being held in Arusha was a self-evaluation exercise to “locate the disease in the body of the SPLM”.
“In this respect, I want to caution my colleagues and comrades that the exercise we about to undertake demands honest self-criticism. We request ourselves to put our people and country over and above each one of us. Therefore, blame game and finger pointing will not help us out of the malaise into which we have thrown our people and the hard won independence of our country”, Nyaba, a renowned government critic, said.
Daniel Awet Akot, leader of the SPLM faction allied to President Salva Kiir, described the ruling party as a unifying vehicle in Tanzania with full commitment and mandate.
“I came here with my delegation fully mandated and committed to dialogue with open mind and heart. It is our belief that our brothers and sisters on the other side of the table have the same spirit and determination. In doing so, I believe we shall achieve our objective of reunifying the SPLM to its former days of glory and victory over the forces of oppression and marginalisation,” said Akot.
“We all know that SPLM is the only reunifying vehicle for South Sudanese and if it remains divided, it means the whole country shall remain divided. Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to preserve the unity of such a great movement that brought the freedom to our people,” he said.
(ST)