Troika countries concerned over delay to form S. Sudan transitional government

November 26, 2015 (JUBA) – The United States, Norway and the United Kingdom – collectively known as Troika of South Sudan, expressed “deep concern” over the delay to form a transitional government of national unity by the warring parties in South Sudan, three months since the peace accord was inked in August.

President Salva Kiir’s government and the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) led by the first vice president designate, Riek Machar, were supposed to form a unity government which would run the country for 30 months of transition before elections are conducted.

The parties however failed to start forming the government due to difficulties faced in the implementation of the peace deal.

In a press statement released on Thursday, Troika, one of the South Sudanese peace sponsors said political leaders from both sides of the conflict should end the suffering inflicted on the population of the four year old country by the 22 months of conflict.

“Each day, the fighting and abuses continue, and an already grave humanitarian situation grows worse. We urge South Sudan’s leaders to establish the transitional government now and recommit to the timeline of the agreement, or the peace process will unravel,” the statement, extended to Sudan Tribune, reads in part.

According to the agreement to resolve the conflict in South Sudan, signed by opposition leader Riek Machar on17 August in Addis Ababa and by president Salva Kiir nine days later on 26 August in Juba, a transitional government of national unity should be formed 90 days after the accord was inked.

The Troika commended former Botswana Festus Mogae, who is also the chairman of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), “for beginning to implement the agreement by announcing this week that he will host the JMEC’s first meeting in Juba on 27 November.”

“It is vital that all parties participate fully. We call on the Opposition and former detainees to attend the JMEC launch and on all South Sudanese parties to work with President Mogae,” the statement added.

“Those who decide not to participate will be further delaying the implementation of the peace agreement, which will only deepen an already grave humanitarian crisis and prolong the suffering of the South Sudanese people,” the Troika said.

Former detainees composed of 10 exiled senior SPLM political leaders were expected to return to Juba on Thursday but their trip delayed due to belated delivery of air tickets. They are now expected to return to Juba on Friday, one former detainee told Sudan Tribune.

The SPLM in Opposition, led by former vice president and first vice president designate, Riek Machar, said no delegate will travel to Juba due to failure by president Kiir to honour the peace agreement when he on 2 October declared unilateral creation of 28 states in violation of the peace agreement which is based on the current 10 states.

The opposition demanded that president Kiir’s government reversed the violation and put the implementation of the peace agreement on the right course.

IGAD and Troika earlier condemned president Kiir’s unilateral decision as a violation of both the peace deal and the country’s constitution.
Kiir’s government has however gone ahead with the implementation of his 28 states order, which resulted to amendment of the transitional constitution by the parliament this week to scrap the 10 states.

The opposition, SPLM-IO, said the act by parliament was also a violation as the peace agreement prohibits one party from amending the peace agreement and the constitution.

(ST)