Breakthrough: Machar and Kiir Agree on Forming An Inclusive Interim Government

May 9, 2014(Nyamilepedia) — Reports from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, confirm that Dr. Riek Machar and Pres. Salva Kiir have reached an agreement to stop military offensives and form an inclusive interim government.

The parties have agreed to form an inclusive transitional national government that will include other political parties in the country.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and IGAD Mediators have invited journalists to presidential palace to witness the signing ceremony, which is likely to follow any time soon, Emmanuel Igunza, BBC correspondent reports.

Others sources including Al Jazeera have reported having seen the draft document that would be signed by Dr. Machar and Salva Kiir soon.

“Draft agreement seen by Al Jazeera English calls for the establishment of an inclusive transitional government made of all parties in South Sudan” Mohammed Adow reports.

Dr Riek Machar, smiling in blue suits instead of his military fatigues, has met with the Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in the afternoon. President Salva Kiir met the Ethiopian Prime Minister earlier on.

Machar has also met with his negotiating team and further met his colleagues, the senior SPLM leaders, including SG Pagan Amum and mama Rebecca, the founding mother of SPLM.

Although the leaders were politically accused and detained, they have expressed their willingness to work with both sides to bring peace to South Sudan.

The political detainees, comprising of SPLM politburo members, were released except Dr. Adwok Nyaba, who is still under house arrest in Juba.

A ceasefire deal was signed in January, however, it has not been obeyed. The government forces seized Machar’s home town of Leer immediately following the ceasefire agreement. Violations continue despite the truce signed by the representatives of both sides..

The SPLM leaders under Machar, have accused the government of launching new military offensives despite the ongoing efforts to restore peace in the country. Brig. Lul Ruai Koang, told Al jazeera that the government troops are attacking their position in Unity state, despite the ongoing face-to-face agreement between Machar and Kiir.

“Before the meeting could even take off, we re receiving reports of attacks on the ground and we are taking this opportunity to inform the world that Salva Kiir is not serious about peaceful solution. He believes in military solution, that is why his forces are attacking us everywhere” Brig. Lul said.

The government is trying to retake the oil hub town of Bentiu from the anti-government forces, who seized the town from the allied troops last month. The loyal troops have seized other rebel’s strongholds like Nasir, however, the the SPLA-IO may attempt to retake the towns.