January 3rd 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – The next South Sudan Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGONU) which is expected between April and May this year must separate the army from politics, a opposition leader and human rights lawyer have said.
In an exclusive interview with the Nyamilepedia last week, Suzanne Jambo, leader of the non-armed opposition STEPS, said to ensure political stability, South Sudan’s unity government due in April or May must separate the army and the judiciary from the government.
“It is central that the TGoNU of April 2019 must separate powers; revamp the judiciary, the legislature, and the executive,” she said adding that “The army belongs to the barracks—South Sudan has been a republic since 2011, it is time the police and other security organs to be empowered and accorded the right to protect civilians.”
Jambo further said any politicians politicising the army or the police should face the law to avoid political instability.
“Any politician interfering with the army or vice versa must be punished by the law. The army strictly to belong to the barracks and must be fully trained, mentored and coached that way,” she said.
“The Government must work hard in developing a visionary programme that shall ensure the nationalization and professionalization of the Army which shall, in turn, follow the constitutional definitions of its role,” she added.
Jambo further said “the transformation of the Republic of South Sudan from military rule to civilian must begin to take place and shape in April 2019 onwards.”
Under regional and international pressure, South Sudan government and opposition groups signed in September a revitalized version of a 2015 peace deal which collapsed in July 2016.
The agreement establishes a Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGONU) after eight months ending in April 2019.
Kiir will remains as President and prominent opposition and SPLM-IO leader Dr. Riek Machar will be reinstated to his previous position as First Vice-President.
The agreement also created three more Vice-President positions beside the current one and will be divided between the SSOA, FDs and the government.
The current vice-president position will also remain occupied by the government of South Sudan.
