April 4rd 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by South Sudan’s former First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, urged on Tuesday the prioritization of implementing the security arrangements over the formation of unity government.
South Sudan government and opposition groups in September last year signed a revitalized version of a 2015 peace agreement that collapsed a year later in 2016.
The agreement meant to end the ongoing civil war was signed in Addis Ababa and created a eight-month pre-transitional period within which all the preparations including the security arrangements could be completed before a May 12th dateline after which a unity government would be formed.
On Tuesday, the SPLM-IO deputy Chairperson of National Committee for Information and Public Relations, Manawa Peter Gatkuoth, was quoted by the Sudan Tribune as saying the parties should prioritize the implementation of the security arrangement over unity government formation.
“We believe that the implementation of the security arrangements is more important than the formation of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity of the Republic of South Sudan (R-TGONU),” he said.
Manawa further accused unnamed government officials who do not want the formation of a professional and unified national army under president Salva Kiir Mayardiit to take place saying the same category is hostile to the ongoing peace process.
“Our idea is simple we want a national army under the leadership of President Salva Kiir tasked with the protection of the state and the constitution. But there are some circles that do not want to see this happening. They are hostile to the peace process,” he added.
