March 4, 2021(Nyamilepedia) — Writing to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the disgruntled allies of President Salva Kiir under the leadership of Gen. Taban Deng Gai demands 33% of power sharing or else wants the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity be suspended.
According to the group, which identifies itself as the “Former SPLM/A-IO”, the regional bloc should organize a submit and invite the parties to attend to resolve the matter that they point to the implementation of article 1.2.1 of the R-ARCISS.
“We are therefore calling upon you on the following to redress the matter: 1. Request the IGAD to call for urgent submit of the parties that comprised the ITGONU to facilitate the implementation of Article 1.3.1, R-ARCISS, 2018 or 2. Request the IGAD to put on hold the formation of the R-TGONU until our concern is addressed” The group demands.
According to the Taban’s group, the current peace agreement is a continuation of the 2015 peace agreement and as such the ratios that the former SPLM/A-IO had in 2015 peace agreement, which was 33%, should be given to them.
“Firstly, it is important to note that the current agreement (R-ARCISS, 2018) is a continuation and revitalized form of the last agreement (ARCISS, 2015).” REad part of the group letter to igad
“Since we constitute 33% of the power sharing arrangements in ITGONU under the ARCSS as stated above, the same power sharing arrangements should have logically been carried forward under the R-ARCSS because the R-ARCSS was intended to reinvigorate the ARCSS and the provisions are not in conflict.” The group said.
The former SPLM/A-IO group, now loosely allied to president Kiir’s group, said they chose peace in 2016 “when their former chairman decided to return back to the bush”, and therefore they should be re-considered.
“We as SPLM IO were party to the ARCISS, 2015 with GRSS and OPP formed the TGONU in 2016 after our former leader decided to return back to the bush and continue with the insurgency.” They said.
“As peace lovers we invoked the provisions of Article 6.4. of the ARCSS, 2015 and filled the position of the then First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny when it fell vacant following his departure to the Congo by nominating General Taban Deng Gai to fill the vacuum. That act should have cemented our relationship in the composition of TGONU which according to Article 3.1 of ARCSS,2015 comprised the GRSS, the SPLM/A-IO, the former Detainees and other political parties.” They further claimed.
Based on the previous peace agreement, the Tabans demand that they should have been given 6 ministers out of 20 ministers and 2 deputy ministers out of six at the national level plus 3 additional ministers in each state and 14 commissioners – all from the ITGONU power sharing ratios.
 “Thus the power sharing arrangements for us in the executive should have followed suit. In other words we should have: (a) 33% of the 20 National Ministerial posts, which is 6 Ministers; (b) 33% of the 5 National Deputy Ministerial posts, which is 2 deputy Ministers; (C) 33% of 9 Ministerial posts at state level, which is 3 Ministers per state (d) 33% of County Commissioners, which is which is 14 County Commissioners.” They said.
Now that these positions are all taken, the group demands to be given their previous 50 members of parliament at the national level and their 33% in each state.
“Since Article 1.14.2 of the R-ARCSS has expanded the number of the TNLA to 550 giving ITGONU 332 of the seats, then we are claiming our 50 seats which were allotted to us by ARCSS. As for the Council of states we will also request for 33% of the seats that will be allotted to ITGONU to be given to us. ” They said.
The former SPLM/A-IO group are shocked to learn that their new partner has decided to sideline and isolate them
“With all these evidently justified legal standing, our partner in ITGONU have shockingly decided to sideline and isolate our group from participation citing unfounded arguments.” They concluded.
