Juba calls on rebels not to make "impossible demands"
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March 31, 2014 (JUBA) - The South Sudanese government has called on
the rebel group under the leadership of former vice-president Riek
Machar not to obstruct the peace process by making "impossible
demands".
JPEG - 20.4 kb
Nhail Deng Nhail (left), the head of South Sudan's negotiating team,
and top rebel negotiator Taban Deng Gai (right) sign a cessation of
hostilities agreement in front of mediator Ethiopian foreign minister
Tedros Adhanom in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on 23 January
2014 (AP)
The government said it had shown its commitment to the peace process
by accepting in principle to negotiate with Machar and his group.
"The government has already shown strong commitment and willingness to
bring peace, restore hope and security to this country," South Sudan's
foreign affairs minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, told journalists on
Monday
"Our delegation now in Addis Ababa is authorised to negotiate in good
faith with the other side so that they come back to the country with
peace, because peace is what our people need," he added.
Marial called on the rebels not to impose impossible conditions during
the current round of negotiations, urging them to engage in pro-active
dialogue for the benefit of the South Sudanese people.
"Our people need peace. They don't the need the war which has been
imposed on them. I therefore call on the [rebel] side to heed the call
of the people to accept peace through dialogue. All efforts must be
made to avoid obstacles and impossible demands," he said.
Meanwhile, Hussein Mar, spokesperson for the rebel Sudan People's
Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-O), confirmed the two sides
had reached a consensus on the general declaration of principles, as
well as the agenda for negotiations.
The general declaration of principles outlines the main issues
identified by the two parties, covering governance issues,
democratisation and the general public sector reform, some of which
are considered as conditions by the government.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Developing (IGAD) is expected to
hold an official ceremony for the signing of the two documents.
Mar, who defected three months ago to the Machar-led rebellion,
officially remained in his position as Jonglei's deputy governor up
until last week when the caretaker governor appointed a replacement.
He said the views of both sides would be amalgamated as part of the
declaration on general principles, which would now form the basis of
future talks.
"Hopefully, and by the God's will, the IGAD envoys will amalgamate the
two positions if all goes as we agreed. It is after the amalgamation
of the two documents incorporating views representing the two sides
that we hope the IGAD envoy will finally organise the signing function
of the declaration of principles and agenda," Mar told Sudan Tribune
during an exclusive an interview on Sunday from the Ethiopian capital,
Addis Ababa.
Rebels have demanded that seven senior politicians who were imprisoned
for their alleged role in a plot to overthrow the government, but
later released, be allowed to participate in talks.
They are also seeking interim arrangements which include swift reform
in the structures of the governing party (SPLM), public service,
security sector, foreign policy, as well as measures to promote good
governance, adherence to rule of law and democratic principles.
The SPLM-O has also called the exclusion of rebel-stronghold Nasir
from a joint monitoring and verification mechanism.
The government is pressing for the inclusion of the strategic Upper
Nile state town, which sits on the River Nile near the border with
Ethiopia, fearing it could be used as a supply chain for rebel forces.
Juba is also reluctant to discuss interim arrangements, specifically
anything relating to the proposed limiting of presidential powers and
period of service.
It initially threatened to boycott talks if the group of seven
politicians were allowed to participate, insisting negotiations should
be restricted to the direct two parties involved.
More than one million people have been displaced since political
tensions erupted in violence in the capital, Juba, in mid-December
last year before spreading to other key regions throughout the
country.
The conflict has pitted pro-Machar rebels against government forces
loyal to the Salva Kiir-led administration.
A tenuous ceasefire deal signed in the January round of talks has
failed to halt violence on the ground, with both sides accusing each
other of violating the terms of the agreement.
Aid agencies are warning of an imminent and catastrophic humanitarian
situation if relief supplies do not reach affected communities ahead
of the rainy season.
(ST)
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