May 20, 2014(Nyamilepedia) — The results of the two days deliberation between the former political detainees and the SPLM (in opposition) has been eagerly waited by their supporters and as well as by the government side. The political detainees, abruptly found themselves in what could be seen as a common ground by many parties, however, Juba made it abundantly clear that there are no grey areas; “you are either with us or with them”.
Some detainees, especially the G7 who were conditionally released due to mounting pressure from the SPLM [in opposition] and the international community, opted for a neutral position. However, subsequent behaviours and reports suggest that their “third block” was politically motivated to ensure that the remaining 4 detainees were promptly released by the regime.
Juba approached the regional leaders to ensure that the 3rd block do not establish a third root in the negotiation for the fear that they would later shift their votes to the opposition. The block was also feared of gaining support to form the interim government, however, critics believe that guns dictate the negotiation and the fulfilment of the process. An interim government without an army may not effect the transition.
Latest reports suggest that the SPLM leaders are contented with the SPLM-IO objectives, although with the strings that fighting must be stopped in order to achieve peace.
The following is a summary from Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, the former South Sudan ambassador to Washington and an interview with Pagan Amum, the former SPLM’s Secretary General.
Begin the reports …
Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth
The former Political Detainees together with former Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny were/are calling for reforms within the SPLM Party and the GOSS. We were/are one group. The only incident which separated us was the December 15th 2013. Former VP Dr. Riek Machar and other Comrades were forced to ran for their dear lives when the forces of President Kiir launched an attack on them and the 11Â of us (former detainees) were arrested. Some Comrades were killed. After we were acquitted by the court and came to Nairobi and proceeded to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for peace talks all of us met and committed ourselves as comrades to peace and united as one group to bring peace to South Sudan. Peace is the only option unless President Kiir is not interested. Division among Comrades is not an option! God bless South Sudan.Â
Source: Amb. Ezekiel Lol Gatkouth
Pagan Amum’s Interview with rfi -May 15, 2014
As South Sudan peace talks continue in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, former secretary general of the ruling SPLM party, Pagan Amum, told RFI on Wednesday that an agreed ceasefire must be honoured before discussion of political issues can take place. Amum, who had been arrested for treason before being later released, said via telephone that the format of any interim government was still up for negotiation.
Could you give us an update on the situation with the talks in Addis Ababa?
The talks are now at the level of the mediators soliciting proposals on the framework and modalities for the negotiations. The parties are presenting to the mediators their positions on these modalities in preparation for the next round of talks after we adjourn these negotiations, these talks may resume in two weeks time.
There were hopes that the ceasefire signed last Friday would mean the end of fighting but that does not seem to be the case. How do you think there can be end brought to the fighting?
We definitely want the two parties, the two warring parties, to respect the agreement that they signed, that the principals signed in Addis Ababa on 9 May. Also respect the ceasefire agreement that was signed in January. This is very important so that we have an environment of cessation of hostilities to focus on the political issues that divide the country.
What are your thoughts on the various different proposals for an interim or transitional government?
Yes, there is a clear framework that has been agreed to by President Kiir and former vice president Riek Machar, which include a transitional government, a transitional period and also a transitional constitutional arrangement and transitional programme that will end the war and take South Sudan into peace. With programmes of return and resettlement of our displaced people and refugees, who have been affected by war and of course programmes of reconstruction. And the unification of the country, especially that this war, from the beginning, started as a very cruel war with sectarian character and with a lot of violence driven by anger and hostilities, animosities worked up by mostly the government of South Sudan.
There’s one particular interim government proposal that includes the provision of five rotating presidents. Is that something that you think is a good idea?
There are different proposals on the form and format or structure of the interim government, but these are all subject to negotiation.
What role are you going to play in the future?
Our immediate national priority now is to end this war, stop this war and take the country back to peace. Reunite the country and heal the wounds that have been inflicted on our people and rescue South Sudan from collapsing into chaos and disorder – this is our national priority. Therefore is what we are going to engage in, this is what myself I am going to engage in together with my colleagues in the leadership of SPLM.
Is there anything that’s important to point out to our listeners?
We seek to mobilise the people of South Sudan to work to stop this war, to forget this war. This is a senseless war, this is a cruel war, that is threatening South Sudan with collapse into chaos and disorder, into basically a failed state. This is very dangerous and this is what we have to work on and we also call on the region and the international community to support the people of South Sudan. To support the search for peace in South Sudan and bring this war to an end as possible before it is too late and before it destroys South Sudan. We, of course, are looking forward to engage in this negotiation, engaging all the parties, all the Sudanese stakeholders to bring about peace, to bring about a democratic dispensation in South Sudan.
Source: rfi
3 comments
Five to have rotation of the head of the Transitional Administeration is a joking proposal an not a prime minister with two deputies. We all agree that the stakeholders rally between two principal actors to this crisis with shared and common objective namely, change for democracy by SPLM/ IO and the other marinating the status quo by Kiir’s Group. However, the proposal for debate if one is to be practical would be President and Prime Minister with equal powers and a third party ( in this case AU or IGAD and the TRIOKA or UN with specific role and not sovereignty). The other proposal include Transitional Council with a head with nominal roes as a Chair and a Caretaker Pries Minister, President and Vice President.
Finally, The warring parties leaders to meritoriously be nominated to any of the position, the President and the Pries Minister and a team from the IGAD and TROIKA countries representing the UN. The powers can be then discussed and also terms of reference for the third party.
Interim for what,better Kiir step down,second I blame a comounders who lead rebel forces why fighting is in Nuer land,not in Ber el Gazeel what are you doing and what do you think,our children are the one who die,our women are rape and killing,our homes are burning do you have realy thinking about that?
Reblogged this on Sudan.