Nov 13th, 2018 (Nyamilepedia) — Responding to the speculations on the social media that the passports of the SPLM IO members of the NPTC were confiscated by the South Sudan National Security members in Juba, the SPLM(IO) governor of Imatong State, Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Pierino, has denied the allegations.
Speaking to Hon. Nathaniel Pierino from Juba, the SPLM IO Governor of Imatong and currently part of the Implementation team in Juba told our correspondent that the rumor was shocking to them:
“This rumor is very shocking because when we arrived here in Juba days ago, we were well received by the government delegates and nothing like that is happening. This is totally false news by peace spoilers. Beware of those pockets of individuals who are not part of the peace process. They are false prophets.”
On point of clarification Hon. Nathaniel elaborated that actually some of their members whose their passports expired are receiving new ones.
Asked whether this peace is going to work considering several peace agreements signed but were not implemented, Gen. Pierino sounds very opportistic that they have hit the right spot this time and that the peace must hold this time.
“We are sure this peace will work. Our position always been for peace. We believed there is no other alternative to peace than the way SPLM IO have taken. And I am appealing to those who seem to be skeptical about this road we have chosen. Please come back home. Let us make this peace work. It is time for our nation to move forward.”
Nathaniel admitted that the implementation partners are behind the schedule for two months since the peace was signed on 12th of September, however, efforts are being put together to meet the demands on various areas which need to be addressed for the progress of the implementation.
The young nation entered it last months of its 5th year in a civil war which saw 1.4 million internally displaced, hundreds of thousands seeking protection inside the UN compound across the country, with 2 million seeking international protection in the neighboring countries and nearly 400, 000 killed.
On 12th of September, 2018, the rival parties signed a peace pack in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the final draft of Khartoum Peace Agreement that brought back the SPLM-IO leader back to the negotiation table.
Critics believe this is just another scheme of “fencing away” UN sanction by both President Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar, the Commander-In-Chief of the SPLM/A-IO on their party, however, some argue that president Kiir has taken the lion share in the last peace deal and therefore he should implement the peace agreement in letter and spirit.
