Machar calls on US to support adherence to South Sudan peace agreement
January 31, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudanese former Vice President, Riek Machar, has called on the United States (US) government to support the implementation of the peace agreement he signed with President Salva Kiir in August last year to end 21 months of violent conflict in the country.
Machar, who leads the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), and is the First Vice President designate of South Sudan per the power sharing deal in the agreement, also discussed the security arrangements with the US envoys.
His Press Secretary, James Gatdet Dak, said Machar asked for US support to put pressure on President Kiir, and through other bodies such as IGAD and AU, to revoke the 28 states he unilaterally decreed and implement the peace deal as it was signed based on the existing 10 states.
“My chairman has called on the US government through its delegates to the AU summit in Addis Ababa to support the implementation of the peace agreement as it was signed. This is for the parties to adhere to its provisions, hence the importance of rescinding the unilaterally created 28 states by President Salva Kiir,” Dak told Sudan Tribune.
He said the US officials met by Machar on the sidelines of the AU summit included Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and Gayle Smith, administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The importance of revoking or suspending the decision creating 28 states was discussed, he said, adding it was important to amend the constitution based on the existing 10 states per the agreement and form a transitional government of national unity.
Dak also said the meeting discussed the importance of implementing the security arrangements before formation of a transitional government.
“Amending the current constitution and passing a transitional constitution as the basis for formation of a new transitional unity government is important. It is equally important to deploy joint integrated forces as per the security arrangements agreement, pending formation of new government,” he said.
Machar, he said, had also asked the US government to help transport to Juba as soon as possible about 3,000 members of the opposition’s joint integrated forces including police and soldiers.
According to the peace deal, within 90 days of pre-transitional period before a unity government is formed, the current constitution should be amended and endorsed by an expanded national parliament inclusive of opposition factions’ memberships.
Also, the national capital, Juba, within the 90 days of pre-transitional period should be demilitarized by withdrawing government’s forces and deploying joint integrated units of police and military from the two sides before a unity government can be formed to officially begin a transitional period.
However, none of these have been implemented as the constitution’s amendment has stalled due to the issue of 28 states and government has not withdrawn its forces from Juba while joint forces have not yet deployed.
The AU summit is expected to discuss the obstacles faced in the implementation of the peace agreement.
SPLM-IO HAILS NEW AU CHAIRPERSON
Meanwhile, the armed opposition group has commended the election of the Chadian President, Idriss Deby, as new AU chairperson for the year 2016, saying this will help in realization of peace in the region.
External affairs committee chairman for SPLM-IO, Ambassador Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, said the new AU’s leadership would help bring peace in the region.
“On behalf of H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, First Vice President Designate of the Republic of South Sudan and Chairman and Commander in Chief of SPLM/SPLA (In Opposition) the election of President Deby is something to be celebrated because peace will be realized in South Sudan, the region and Africa as a whole,” he said.
“I am wishing H.E. President Deby all the successes and good wishes,” he added.
President Deby replaced the Zimbabwean President, Robert Mogabe, who chaired AU for the year 2015.
(ST)