September 22nd 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – South Sudan’s main armed opposition group SPLM-IO led by the country’s former First Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar Teny has accused the government of President Salva Kiir of planning to maintain the status quo.
This come less than a week after President Salva Kiir said he may form the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) without Dr. Machar if his group hesitate to cooperate for the government formation by November 12th.
Speaking to Nyamilepedia on Friday, SPLM-IO director of information Pouk Both Baluang said the main armed opposition group regrets President Kiir’s comment saying it points to the government’s desire in maintaining the status quo.
“The SPLM/A (IO) would like to express its regrets at the statement of President Salva Kiir Mayardit yesterday September 19, 2019 during the Prayers,” Baluang said.
“President Kiir’s statement clearly reflects the government’s intention and their luck of political will to implement the R-ARCSS and they are endeavoring to maintain the status quo which would only increase and perpetuates the suffering of the people of South Sudan.”
Baluang said Kiir’s comment contradicts the outcome of the face-to-face meeting held in the capital Juba between Machar and President Kiir this month.
“It [comment] is also incompatible with the outcome of recent face-to-face meeting concluded by President Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar in Juba,” Baluang said.
He said the group’s “priority at this critical junctures in South Sudan, has to be implementing the revitalized agreement in letter and spirit.”
“Therefore, we urge the government to follow our example and demonstrate their full adherence to implement the R-ARCSS as it’s the sole and less costly way to achieve peace, stability and prosperity in our beloved country.”
