September 15th 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has been urged to release prominent opposition and SPLM-IO leader Dr. Riek Machar who is under house arrest.
Activists have argued that Machar’s release would facilitate the smooth implementation of the revitalized peace agreement saying IGAD would be an obstacle to peace if it don’t release Machar.
In an exclusive with the Eye Radio, the Executive Director of the Foundation of Democracy and Accountable Governance (FoDAG), James Kolok, said the IGAD should release the main armed opposition leader.
“Our perspective is that IGAD shouldn’t be an obstacle to the peace process that they helped to mediate. And by attaching the freedom of Machar to IGAD considering that he is one of the most important parts of the peace process,” Kolok said.
“We are looking at this in two ways, one we feel that by restricting Machar’s movement is by itself an infringement to the rights of Machar’s freedom of movement.”
“Number 2 we feel that while IGAD has been so passionate about peace in this country, it will be virtually impossible to assume that the peace process will flow efficiently when one of the key principles has to ask for permission to be able to come and do some follow up on the peace process.”
