Juba makes no progress with rebels over contentious issues at peace talks

August 12, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudanese rival warring parties have not made any significant progress on most of the contentious matters at peace talks currently underway in Addis Ababa, capital of neigbouring Ethiopia. This is despite mounting regional and international pressure on the two sides to reach a consensus and strike a deal by 17 August deadline.

South Sudan’s information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, who speaks for the government delegation, said on Wednesday that none of the outstanding issues has been resolved with the rebel group since direct negotiations resumed last week.

“None of the outstanding issues which were left pending in other negotiations have been agreed upon,” said minister Lueth, in a statement broadcast by the state owned South Sudan television (SSTV).

Many contentious issues on governance, security arrangements, wealth and power sharing as well as accountability, compensation, reparation and reconciliation are yet to be agreed upon by the parties.

Lueth expressed scepticism at reaching a deal by the 17 August, but said there was still opportunity at the level of the two principals to reach a consensus when they convene before the deadline reaches.

“I doubt reaching an agreement by the 17th, but the final decision is not with us but with the principals,” he said in reference to president Salva Kiir and the leader of the armed opposition Riek Machar.

“When they come, they will have to resolve that, whether to sign or not to sign,” he said.

Bishop Enock Tombe, head of the faith-based groups participating at the talks said in a separate interview that the regional mediating team has reduced the number of delegates from the warring parties and the former political detainees to at least 12 members from all parties.

“The number of participants has been reduced. There will now be twelve members from all the sides to help them reach consensus. The three groups called leadership committee are discussing contentious issues but until now, there is no significant progress on the contentious matters,” explained Tombe.

IGAD-Plus said it would incorporate into its peace compromise proposal any agreement reached on the outstanding issues, but will however impose its proposed agreement in areas where there is no agreement between the warring parties.

The two parties, IGAD-Plus said, should sign a final peace agreement by 17 August, next Monday, warning of tough measures against any party that will refuse to ink the proposed deal.

(ST)