Juba, South Sudan,
July 14, 2021 – Leader of the South Sudan United Front/Army Gen. Paul Malong Awan has left for Italy for the next round of the Rome Peace Talks.
SSUF/A confirmed on Wednesday that Malong has left to attend the peace negotiations and will be joined by Gen. Pagan Amum before meeting the government delegation from Juba.
“Gen. Paul Malong Awan left this morning for the Italian city of Rome to attend negotiations with the Juba government,” the statement says.
“Gen. Paul Malong is leading a high-level delegation of SSOMA [South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance] representatives to a four-day discussion under the guidance of the Sant’Egidio mediators,” the statement added.
“Meanwhile, SSOMA principal Gen. Pagan Amum Okiech is joining SSUF/A Chairman as the hold talks with Juba delegation on the remaining stages in the Rome Peace process,” it continues.
The initial schedule of the round of talks was canceled on June 26th after the delegation from the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity called for the adjournment of the round of talks citing independence celebration and official assignments.
“I would like request you to extend the date of SSOMA Rome Peace Talks with Gen. Paul Malong Awan, leader of SSUFA [South Sudan United Front], and Gen. Pagan Amum, leader of the Real SPLM to be held on between 10th and 18th July 2021,” Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin said in the letter.
Meanwhile, some members of the delegation from SSOMA initially threatened withdrawal from the negotiation process claiming that there were assassination plots from the opponent.
