S. Sudan’s ex-detainees hint at joining ruling party faction
February 04, 2016 (JUBA) – A group of South Sudanese politicians who were detained at the outset of country’s conflict in December 2013 and later released to form a third bloc of the ruling party (SPLM) have hinted on returning to the faction of President Salva Kiir.
“It is our hope that all parties to the agreement will take seriously the recommendations contained in the communique and agree to expeditiously establish the transitional government of national unity and to subsequently engage positively on the issue of the twenty-eight states,” said John Luk, the spokesperson for the former detainees.
The former detainees have two ministerial portfolios and a deputy minister. The government of President Kiir will appoint 16 minister and the armed opposition of former vice president Riek Machar, who will serve as first vice president in TGONU, have 10 ministers. Other South Sudanese political parties will appoint two ministers.
The formers detainees called on South Sudanese citizens to support the directives from regional bodies to form the 30-months running TGoNU by forgiving one another.
Former justice minister John Luk added that his SPLM faction, known as SPLM leaders are ready to join President Kiir’s SPLM in government.
“Concerning the re-unification of the SPLM, we are satisfies that this has been achieved through the incorporation of the Arusha Agreement in the SPLM Constitution which was finally adopted by the extra-ordinary SPLM national convention,” he said, referring to an extraordinary meeting organized early January.
Luk, who is named as minister of transport in the TGONU, did not say when the SPLM leaders, whose number has continued to reduce after former Lakes state governor Chol Tong Mayay left them last month, will formally join the SPLM under President Kiir.
The ex-detainee’s press statement said the controversy created by President Kiir’s decision to create more states will be addressed after forming the unity government.
“We firmly believe that the formation of the Government of National Unity will enhance the building of trust and confidence amongst the parties to the ARCSS and together work to resolve any challenges that may adversely affect the implementation of the agreement and welfare of the people of South Sudan,” further stressed the statement.
(ST)