South Sudanese president queries IGAD’s peace proposal

July 30 2015 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir said on Thursday that he would not sign the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) peace proposal with the rebels meant to end the 19-month long conflict in the young nation.

Speaking to thousands of supporters on Martyrs’ Day in Juba, Kiir said the proposal to give opposition three states of Upper Nile, Unity and Jonglei where the country’s oilfields are located would means giving away the nation’s wealth.

“If I sign this agreement [proposal by IGAD], then what you have written there ‘reward martyrs with just peace’ will not be a just peace,” said Kiir, referring to the theme of this year’s Martyrs’ Day.

July 30th, the day SPLM founding leader, John Garang, died in 2005 in a helicopter crash is commemorated in the country to remember an estimated two million who died between 1983—2005 when South Sudanese fought the Khartoum regime.

In his first public statement since the regional mediators from IGAD released the power sharing proposal, dubbed as the compromised peace agreement, President Kiir said there was “no reason” for the two parties to send delegates for negotiation in Addis Ababa, if mediators have the authority to determine an end the conflict.

“There would have been no reason for us fighting all these time fighting and waste our time negotiating,” he said, adding that South Sudanese must determine their fate.

“As we find ourselves at crossroad, we must choose the right path that leads us back to peace and prosperity. I mean this war we are fighting now as I said on the 9th of this month, is a senseless war. If there is a way that we can trace back our steps so that we bring peace, it will be better for our people,” he said.

IGAD peace proposal gives the SPLM in opposition, led by former vice president Riek Machar 53% in Upper Nile, Unity and Jonglei states. The government takes 33% while the opposition parties and former political detainees are given 7% each.

The government, the proposal says, will control 53% of the executives at national level, rebels 33% and 14% divided by ex-detainees and other political parties.

South Sudan’s oilfields, which provide 98% of government revenue, are in Unity and Upper Nile state. Though the agreement did not give details on how the revenue will be shared between the two factions, Kiir accused unnamed groups of attempting to steal the nation’s wealth, using rebel leader Machar as their shield.

“Any agreement that gives [Greater] Upper Nile region to Riek Machar will not bring peace to this country,” he stressed.

Kiir said there are many minorities who are not allied to the opposition and not ready to accept the current proposal on powering sharing. He urged the international community and regional leaders not to give up on peace processes, saying his government was determined to amicably end war through just peace.

(ST)