Oct 14, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance under the leadership of Gen. Paul Malong (SSOMA-Malong), which held separate talks with the Government delegation in Rome, Italy, under the auspice of the Roman Catholic mediating community Sant’Egidio regrets that the peace talks ended in vain.
According to SSOMA-Malong, the alliance regrets to inform the public that the talks ended without any resolve.
“After a series of side meetings, deliberations and a final meeting on 12h October, 2020 night, we regret to inform the public that the Sant’ Egidio Rome initiative for South Sudan peace process ended without any resolve, except for the reaffirmation and recommitment to the cessation of hostilities agreement (COHA).” Read part of a statement from the Malong led group.
The group also regrets that SSOMA split up into two rival factions in Rome and the two groups could not negotiate with the government delegation as one entity in one sitting.
“The other regrettable thing was that SSOMA split into two because Sant’ Egidio could not convince the parties to negotiate as one opposition group with the government. ” Read part of Malong’s group press statement.
Despite the division within the opposition alliance, SSOMA-Malong appreciates the government delegation for not exploiting their internal differences.
“The government delegation led by Hon. Nhial Deng Nhial and Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin did not take advantage of the split of SSOMA and instead decided to meet the two groups separately.” SSOMA-Malong remarks.
Malong’s group, which was still in the process of putting together a team on the first day of talks, was barred from attending the first rounds of talks; however, Malong managed to put together a team of 8 people and was allowed to present his version in a different room the next day.
The two delegations expressed their commitments in being open-minded to finding solutions and making an agreement that will bring change and lasting peace for the suffering people of South Sudan.
The talks ended on Sunday, October 12, 2020 with no reasonable resolutions.
While SSOMA-Cirilo believes that the talks will resume on November 30th, SSOMA-Malong said the delegate will be informed again later of when and where the talks will be held.
“Delegates of SSOMA and the government departed Rome on the 12th October, 2020 and will be informed about the continuation of the peace negotiations on a later date.” Malong group said.
