S. Sudan Machar intransigence on peace implementation
By Steve Paterno
In a most accelerated expediency process to implement an imposed peace pact, Salva Kiir, President of South Sudan Republic appointed Riek Machar as the country’s First Vice President–albeit, in absentia and in accordance with the peace accord. The presidential decisive move is applauded by all as a step forward toward the implementations of the peace process. The gesture supposed to witness Riek Machar assuming his newly assigned position followed with the long awaited formation of transitional government.
Such step in actual sense, followed by the phase withdrawals of South Sudanese troops out of the capital Juba as well as other critically important measures of confidence building.
Nevertheless, Riek Machar reactions leaves much in doubt as to how the accord could be implemented without him never ever taking crucial part. In a surprising move, Machar yet again demands for more concessions from the government and international community so as in order for him to assume his assigned position stipulated by the peace agreement.
In a desperate move, Machar screamed victim that his bodyguards must be first transported to Juba before he ever steps foot in that town he so hopelessly wants to rule. In response, the so-called Troika aka international community agreed to help in transporting his bodyguards to Juba.
The most simple, not so fundamental questions about such ambiguous demand about the invisible bodyguards of Riek Machar are: Where are they? What are their level of readiness? How long will it undertake to facilitate their transportation and subsequent deployments? And so on…
Intriguingly, Riek Machar, a chief tribal militiaman is as much confused just like his henchmen, also known as the ‘advance team’ in Juba–his representatives whom he sent ahead of him in Juba, but seems to have lost touch with one another, because none have objectives anyways.
In his own illusion, Machar further requested more demilitarization of not just Juba, but all the major cities throughout South Sudan, a process that will perpetually held South Sudan in suspense as a hostage for ransoms to Riek Mahar continuous demands, while the country disintegrate, into tribalism. Machar’s so-called ‘advance team’ in Juba, who seems to have already fallen out from him are quickly signaling contradicting messages against him, and such contradictions demands better perspectives, because they are evolving into layers outlined below:
1) Taban Deng Gai Group: Taban Deng Gai is a head of Riek Machar ‘advance team’ to Juba, but a rather notorious character with a long history of treachery against the struggle of the people of South Sudan. His current position now is to just form transitional government and get over with, a decision, which prompts a fallout with Riek Machar.
2) The Equatorian Group of SPLM-io: This is a group consisted of few desperate individuals from the Greater region of Equatoria who hastily embraced the rebellion of Riek Machar with a hope of gaining higher positions in government. They found it the difficult way. Their recent press conference held in the capital Juba not only implicates Riek Machar, but further highlights the divisions under the people under his control.
3) Troika aka International Community: The international community has as much to praise for as well as to blame for when it comes into the current predicament South Sudanese are facing. The international community projected much hope for a wrong groups, it seems. Answers demanded??
In short, as a way forward, a clear theme is emerging:
1) Festus G. Mogae, Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), proposes that Riek Machar must report to Juba for the reasons which are not only limited to the bulleted points below:
· His so-called bodyguards are being transported to Juba
· He has already advance team in Juba
· He must assume his duties
· He must show his commitment
· He must not be an obstacle or otherwise
· ETC
2) President Salva Kiir commitments are as follows:
· Welcoming of Riek Machar to Juba by taking extraordinary measures to make such appointment
· Hosting Riek Machar advance team in Juba
· Withdrawing SPLA out of Juba
· Dislodging loyalists from positions of powers to give in to Riek Machar’s loyals
For a better perspectives, when Riek Machar orchestrated a coup to overtake Juba, he was under illusion that he had more tribal militias allied to him to overthrow the government overnight. As it turned out, Machar barely escaped the city, saving his neck in the process.
The facts, remain, Juba in particular, and South Sudan in general remains under a full control of a legitimate government of the Republic of South Sudan under President Salva Kiir who rules in accordance with the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011, Amended 2015; ARCISS, and Arusha Agreement to unit SPLM.
In conclusion, South Sudan is seeing the light in the end of the tunnel.