August 23, 2016(Nyamilepedia) —– Responding to a statement by the US Sectary of State in Nairobi, Kenya, James Gatdet Dak, the spokesperson of SPLM/SPLA-IO Chairman, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, assured the supporters and sympathizers that the regional body and partners have called on Taban to step down before Machar returns to Juba
“The recent Summit in Addis Ababa of the Heads of State and Government of IGAD-Plus, including participation of representatives of the United States, passed a resolution which expects the “illegal” First Vice President, General Taban Deng Gai, to step down and for a third party force to be deployed in Juba before the “legitimate” First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, can return to Juba.” Dak said.
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Dak reiterates that Kerry’s statement is irrelevant in regards South Sudan peace implementation.
“Any other rumoured opinions are irrelevant and against the IGAD resolutions. We dismiss them as rumours or opinions from individual officials, and call on them to abide by the contents of the peace deal and the IGAD resolutions.” Dak said.
“Whatever personal opinion uttered by the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, to approve “illegal” actions in Juba by President Salva Kiir and his “defector” and partner in conspiracy, Taban Deng Gai, is a contradiction and a double standard. It is also not the last word and does not represent the provisions of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS). It is a clear violation of Article 6.5 of the peace agreement.” Dak continued.
Gatdet said the region and the UNSC have agreed to implement the peace agreement as signed and therefore expect Taban to step aside before Machar returns to Juba.
“IGAD-Plus resolutions in Addis Ababa and United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions in New York expect the illegal replacement to be reversed as it was “inconsistent” with the peace agreement as described by the UNSC.” he said.
“I therefore call John Kerry’s comment his personal opinion because his government was represented in passing IGAD-Plus and UNSC resolutions which criticized the illegal replacement of Dr. Riek Machar.” he concludes.
In a statement that has had many interpretations within the last 24 hours, Kerry said it is upto South Sudanese leaders and political parties, and the region to decide what is best or not best with respect to Machar, however, went on to state his opinion that the agreement allows for replacement and that was done effectively.
“With respect to Machar, it’s not up to the United States; it’s up to the leaders of South Sudan and the people of South Sudan and the political parties and the political process, and their neighbors, to weigh in on what is best or not best with respect to Machar. But I think it’s quite clear that legally, under the agreement, there is allowance for the replacement in a transition of personnel, and that has been effected with the appointment of a new vice president. And what they decide to do is going to be dependent on them in the context of the implementation of the peace agreement.” Kerry said.
The US senior official, who was more interested to see 4000 boots on the ground to protect aid workers, mostly Americans who are being raped and targeted by Kiir’s forces in Juba, has continually blame both Kiir and Machar for failing their people and threatens that the USA will take serious measures as the major donor if peace agreement is not implemented.
Although Kerry was more reluctant on seeing Machar returns to peace implementation, the American official reiterates that reforms must be implemented as singed, a protocol that would be undermined by Kiir and Taban if the arm opposition is not represented in the transitional government.
Machar’s forced eviction has seen the members of opposition fleeing the country and leaving only Taban and a few others, who have shown willingness to corporate with Kiir’s factional demands.
The demands include a decision to implement the peace agreement based on 28 states and immediate reintegration of SPLA-IO forces into Kiir’s forces as opposite to 10 states and merging of the forces to create a national army after 18 months.
Taban has also compromised on the unilateral appointment of the speaker of the Transitional Legislative Assembly and refused deployment of more regional troops in Juba to boost confident of all parties to implement the peace agreement and also to attract investors back to the country.
2 comments
Oh boy, this call will have serious implications if not heed to..
“IGAD-Plus resolutions in Addis Ababa and United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions in New York expect the illegal replacement to be reversed as it was “inconsistent” with the peace agreement as described by the UNSC.” he said.
What? “illegal replacement”? That’s right it says illegal replacement. That means for it to be illegal, there first must be a binding constitution/text or law contains with in such agreement put forth that deems the such act, move or the intent to replace peacefully or violently illegal.
I wonder what article of the peace agreement the Apadang community, Kiir, JCE, Taban and all his other co-conspirators will pull to Justify their illegitimate stance and claims.
Nuers Laws and or Jaang Laws, either way illegal means illegal.