S. Sudanese minister accuses IGAD mediators of “bias”
August 10, 2015 (JUBA) – A South Sudanese minister has accused mediators from the East African regional bloc (IGAD) of “bias”, demanding that the venue for peace talks between government and the armed opposition faction be moved Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
“The IGAD mediators are bias and they are incapable of bringing peace to South Sudan,” the minister, who also heads the opposition United Democratic Forum (UDF), told Sudan Tribune Monday.
Lomoro said his delegation was asked to leave Ethiopia upon arrival in to the country.
“The IGAD mediation team should be reconstituted so that Seyoum Mesfin is removed. Somebody like Mohamed Ahmed who hails from Sudan, a country that colonised South Sudan does not qualify to be a mediator,” stressed the visibly-angry minister.
Lomoro’s UDF party was one of the political groups allied to the government of President Salva Kiir that was allowed to travel to Addis Ababa last week. However, seven members of the alliance of political parties headed by Lam Akol were halted from leaving Juba.
Negotiations between South Sudan government and the armed opposition faction led by ex-vice president Riek Machar resumed last week with a final agreement expected to be reached on 17 August.
Lomoro blames the mediators for the delays in inking a final peace deal.
“So we feel that these people should be replaced and the talks relocated to Rwanda, Tanzania or South Africa,” he observed.
The expanded team of mediators that now includes the United States, Norway, United Kingdom, China, the United Nations and five African nations resumed Monday ahead of the 17 August deadline.
According to the UN, the humanitarian consequences of South Sudan’s conflict are grave. At least 4.6 million people are reportedly food insecure, while nearly two million people are displaced inside the county and 600,000 have fled to neighbouring nations.
(ST)