September 27th 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition under the leadership of the country’s former First Vice President Designate Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon said on Thursday that the appointment by President Salva Kiir of the pre-transitional arrangement committee is legitimate and was done in consultation with the main armed opposition group..
“The leadership of the SPLM/SPLA(IO) would like to inform our members and the public at large, that the recent decree issued by President Salva Kiir announcing the formation of the Committee for the Implementation of the Pre-Transitional Period, is legitimate and that President Salva Kiir issued this decree in consultation with the leadership of the opposition groups and in accordance with the provisions of the agreement,” a statement issued by the armed opposition group said.
The statement signed by the group’s Chairman of National Committee for information and public relations Mabior Garang further said the movement is committed to a negotiated settlement to end the ongoing civil war.
“The movement assures members that it is fully committed to the negotiated settlement and its full implementation, in letter and spirit and we shall continue to use the negotiated settlement to achieve our main objective, fundamental change in our country,” Mabior said in the statement.
He said the group did not surrender to the regime in Juba by the formation of the committee saying the return to Juba by the top movement leadership will not happen until there is a sign of commitment from the regime.
“Beside the formation of the committee for implementation of the pre-interim period, your Movement has not surrendered to the regime and there shall be no return to Juba until the regime has shown some signs of seriousness regarding peace,” he said.
“The Movement has nominated our members because we don’t believe simply nominating, or not nominating members to a committee should derail the peace process. That your Movement has nominated members to the committee, does not mean they will go to Juba tomorrow. No! The members nominated by the Movement shall only go to Juba once there is a conducive environment for the implementation of the pre-interim period and we are satisfied with the arrangements. The SPLM/SPLA(IO) considers the pre-interim period of eight months, as the ‘litmus test’ for the success of the entire peace process and the onus is on the regime,” Mabior further added.
