SPLM factions sign another document for implementation of Arusha agreement

February 17, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan’s three rival factions of the ruling party of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) have signed yet another roadmap agreement outlining timeframe for implementation of the 21 January Arusha’s agreement on reunification of the party.

A tripartite committee established under article 41 of the reunification agreement has been meeting in the Tanzanian town of Arusha from 12-16 February to work out the implementation roadmap.

The three factions of SPLM-in-Government, SPLM-in-Opposition and SPLM-former detainees on Tuesday struck a deal to implement the accord.

The document called on South Sudan’s president Salva Kiir, who is also the chairman of the SPLM-in government to revoke the decision that dismissed party leaders within 14 days from the signing of the implementation roadmap.

Also within 14 days, there should be formal ending of the status of exile imposed on the former detainees and “unfreezing of personal bank accounts and redress for consequential damage and losses” in preparation for return of opposition leaders to the South Sudanese capital, Juba.

The accord further made preparatory measures for their security, freedom of movement and expression as well as prohibition of negative propaganda that should also come into effect within 14 days.

The agreement was signed by senior party members including Jemma Nunu Kumba, representing the government, Peter Adwok Nyaba, representing the SPLM-IO and John Luk Jok, representing former detainees.

Tanzania, South Africa, Ethiopia and Kenya are named as co-guarantors for the implementation of the agreement.

The implementation roadmap has not however addressed how the three factions will tackle the outstanding issues including party reforms and fate of leadership.

The agreement has set 45 days as the timeframe within which all the rival leaders of SPLM-IO led by former vice president, Riek Machar, and former detainees led by former secretary general, Pagan Amum, should return to Juba.

However, sources close to the process say success to implement the intra-party agreement will depend on progress and signature of a final peace agreement in Addis Ababa, suggesting that a 45-day dateline for the return of opposition leaders might have been given with the idea that the two parties will seal a final deal by 5 March dateline set by the mediation of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

(ST)