S. Sudanese opposition parties plot to overthrow President Kiir
August 24, 2016 (JUBA) – A group of armed and unarmed political parties opposed to South Sudan President Salva Kiir’s government have resolved to overthrow what they described as the “totalitarian regime” along with supporters, mainly from the Dinka tribe.
“The political situation in South Sudan underlying the current civil war is a contradiction, as well as a struggle, between narrow ethnic sectarianism represented by President Salva Kiir and Jieng [Dinka] Council of Elders (JCE) on the one hand and South Sudan nationalism on the other hand,” partly reads a seven-page dossier from the group.
“The parties to the Consultative Meeting have to cooperate and coordinate efforts in all spheres of the struggle to overthrow the totalitarian regime in Juba,” it added.
While, Nyaba represented the armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) loyal to former first vice president Riek Machar, Akol represented National Democratic Movement (NDM) which he formed after resigning from non-violent Democratic Change party last month.
The other politicians who attended the meeting were Clement Juma Mbugoniwia from the People’s Revolutionary Movement/Army (PRM/A), Juma Zackaria Deng of Western Bahr El Ghazal Group (WBG Group), Fr Joseph Otto (Eeastern Equatoria Group), Justin Joseph Marona, Pasquale Clement Batali and Dominic Akwai Henry Bahgo.
Describing the meeting’s resolution as a “blueprint” towards removing “totalitarian regime in Juba,” the politicians insisted that the peace agreement signed by President Kiir and the armed opposition leader in August last year should remain on course.
“We insist that the resuscitation of ARCISS [Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan] must be contingent on […] the Regional Protection Force under the banner of the UN should be deployed to take charge of the security all over South Sudan to create an environment conducive for free political discourse on the future of the country,” further noted the document.
They group appealed to the people of South Sudan to join them in liberating the country.
“We appeal to our people to lend it their full support and call upon the other political organizations and groups that could not take part in this dialogue to join us in future discussions. We must unify our ranks to save our country from imminent collapse,” stressed the group’s paper.
In the document, however, the opposition parties outlined the major economic, political and social reforms that will be taken once President Kiir’s government was overthrown.
It still remains unclear as to how the opposition politicians intend to achieve these goals
(ST)