SPLM-IO diplomat urges warring parties to form transitional government per schedule
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
January 4, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – A representative of the armed faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) in Tanzania has urged the two warring parties, government and the SPLM-IO to form a transitional government of national unity per schedule.
In an email exchange with Sudan Tribune, Peter Oyoyo Kleto, SPLM/A-IO acting representative to the United Republic of Tanzania also called on all South Sudanese citizens at home and abroad to level up their support to the ongoing peace implementation process and thereby formation of a new government.
Kleto lauded the government of the Republic of South Sudan under president Salva Kiir for welcoming the opposition advance team led by Taban Deng Gai and for the message of peace issued on numerous occasions.
He also commended the chairman and commander in chief of SPLM-IO and first vice president designate, Riek Machar, for declaring end of armed conflict in South Sudan in various occasions.
“It is very important for our leaders to put the interest of the grass-roots first before theirs and this is the reason why we came to sign the peace agreement because [we] want to end the suffering of our people,” he said.
“South Sudanese have been subject to war for more than 50 years now and I think it is time for us to stop fighting and focus on peace, unity and good governance.”
The opposition diplomat appealed to president Kiir to reverse the 28 states and present the matter to the body provided for in the agreement.
“SPLM/A in opposition is not against creation of states but now we have signed peace and our focus should be to focus on the implementation and all our grievances should be addressed by the mechanisms provided for in the agreement,” said Kleto.
The office urged the people of South Sudan to support the implementation of the peace agreement so that the nation gains unity, development and prosperity.
The two signatory SPLM factions are behind schedule in the implementation process, and they won’t be able to form a government of national unity by 22 January as per the schedule issued by Chairman of JMEC, President Festus Mogae, unless the two conflicting parties remove all the existing obstacles.
“Not respecting the peace agreement will set a very bad example for the country and will lead to serious disintegration into tribal units and continuous cycle of war caused by this 28 states, this is what SPLM/A in opposition is trying to avoid,” Kleto said.
(ST)