March 20th 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – The regional bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), is insisting on its demand for Gen. Thomas Cirilo Swaka, who is the leader of the South Sudan National Democratic Alliance (SSDNA) to sign the peace agreement in its current form according to a statement by the opposition group.
Kwaje Lasu, the spokesperson of the SSDNA, said in a statement extended to the Nyamilepedia that the IGAD special envoy, Ismail Wais, demanded during a meeting with the opposition group early this month in Addis Ababa that they sign the agreement as NAS and not as alliance.
“Unfortunately, the meeting did not make any headway due to IGAD’s demand and insistence for the SSNDA to declare unilateral ceasefire, to commit to and sign the R-ARCSS in its present form which has failed to address the root causes of the conflict in South Sudan,” the statement said. “IGAD’s delegation insisted that they would proceed with the meeting as NAS meeting instead of SSNDA.”
“SSNDA believes that without addressing the root causes of the crisis and resolving the fundamental issues pertaining but not limited to governance, security sector, and accountability among others, lasting peace will remain elusive in South Sudan,” it added.
The statement further reiterated the group’s commitment to the peaceful ending to the ongoing conflict in South Sudan .
“We are ready for inclusive and constructive consultations with the IGAD and the government of South Sudan without any pre-conditions from all sides that would be involved in the envisaged peace talks,”Â
