S. Sudan unveils position ahead of resumption of peace talks
April 1, 2015 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese government on Wednesday unveiled its negotiating position ahead of the upcoming peace talks with the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) led by former vice-president Riek Machar.
According to the minister of cabinet affairs, the plan seeks to narrow the gaps and to assure the people of South Sudan and the international community about commitment of the government to peacefully resolve the current crisis through dialogue rather than violence.
Cabinet affairs minister Martin Elia Lomuro on Wednesday said the decision was reached last Friday at a cabinet meeting chaired by president Salva Kiir during which it was resolved to form a technical committee.
He added that the committee already revised previous documents and developed strategies to bridge the gaps after the last round of direct negotiations collapsed between the two principals.
“The technical committee has successfully and promptly accomplished its assignment and the report is now ready for an official presentation to the president and the cabinet,” he said in an exclusive interview with Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.
He further explained that the committee reviewed all the documents and identified where consensuses have been reached so as to develop strategies to close the gaps with the rebel group.
The cabinet, he said, had agreed to the structure of the government during the transitional period, proposing creation of two vice presidents with equal status or creation of a position of non-executive prime minister under the vice president.
Rebels want a position of first vice-president or executive prime minister.
The power sharing ratio, according to Lomoro, will be apportioned in a way that gives the government 60% and 30% to Machar’s armed opposition faction while the former detainees and other political parties get 10%.
SPLM-IO however proposed a power-sharing ratio of 45/45 with the government and former detainees to get 10%.
The cabinet maintained rejection to creation of two armies during the transitional period and reintegration of the rebel fighters who were not part of the SPLA before the split in December 2013.
The rebel group proposed keeping the two rival armies under separate commands during the transitional period pending their gradual amalgamation into one national army.
Government accepts only to reintegrate those soldiers who were serving in the army before the war broke out but with the same ranks when they left.
Also, Juba rejects the SPLM-IO demand for dissolution and reconstitution of the parliament and extension of power sharing ratios to the states and counties.
The government also maintained that the elections will have to be organised by the National Elections Commission (NEC) but other regional and international bodies shall monitor or assist the process.
Minister of information and broadcasting, Michael Makuei Lueth also echoed comments of the cabinet minister on the government position at a press conference in Juba on Friday.
(ST)