S. Sudan rival factions endorse new ‘IGAD Plus’ initiative
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By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
June 11, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan government and armed
opposition group (SPLM-IO) have endorsed proposed inclusion of new
players to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) – led
peace process aimed to end the long-running conflict in the youngest
African nation.
JPEG - 19.1 kb
Government’s top negotiator Nhial Deng Nhial (L) exchanges a signed
ceasefire agreement with the head of the rebel delegation Taban Deng
Gai Addis Ababa, ((Photo Reuters-Birahnu Sebsibe)
Exclusive IGAD-led South Sudan peace negotiations which started in
January 2014 have failed to bring a lasting peace solution to the
political crises prompting the regional bloc to look for an expanded
mediation team.
The two warring factions of government led by president Salva Kiir and
opposition faction of SPLM-IO led by former vice president, Riek
Machar, endorsed the IGAD-Plus initiative on Wednesday after IGAD
engaged their respective lead negotiators - Nhial Deng Nhial of the
government and Taban Deng Gai of the rebel side - in a three-day
consultation meetings in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
The new IGAD-Plus initiative will now incorporate the African Union,
the UN, EU, China and the Troika (UK, US, Norway).
It will also include five African countries (South Africa, Nigeria,
Algeria, Chad, and Rwanda) each representing different blocs of the
continent, which will all participate actively under the IGAD’s
expanded mediation process.
Negotiators have confirmed that the two sides have accepted the new
IGAD-Plus mechanism without any objection. They also submitted their
respective proposals for further negotiations once the talks resume
per a date yet to be announced by IGAD.
Sources close to the consultation meeting however told Sudan Tribune
that IGAD seems to hold on to its proposed position which will give
government 53%, SPLM-IO 33% and other political parties plus former
detainees 14% of power sharing at the national level.
For the three regions or the ten states in the country, IGAD gives
100% to the government in Bahr el Ghazal and Equatoria regions while
divides power in Upper Nile region by proposing a reverse of 53% for
SPLM-IO, 33% for government and 14% for other political parties and
former detainees.
SPLM-IO leader would appoint three governors for Unity, Upper Nile and
Jonglei states, who will form the state governments. Upper Nile region
is the richest part of the country that produces oil which provides
98% of the country overall budget.
SPLM-IO has been opposed to the proposal, saying the issues that
brought about the conflict involve the whole country and not only
Upper Nile region that needed the change and demanded that the
power-sharing and reforms should apply across the country.
Critics also said the government was trying to limit the struggle for
change in the country as exclusively a thing of the Upper Nile region,
but added this strategy would also encourage further rebellions in the
other regions in order to be recognized.
They also said government’s strategy was to limit the influence of the
rebel leader in the other two regions of Bahr el Ghazal and Equatoria.
Officials in Addis Ababa on Thursday told Sudan Tribune that IGAD
chief mediator, Seyoum Mesfin, has left to South Africa to attend the
African Union summit where South Sudan will be discussed.
On the sidelines of the continental summit, the IGAD mediation team
will hold separate meeting with leaders of the five selected African
countries (South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, Chad, and Rwanda) where it
will address the latest developments achieved from consultation
meetings in Addis Ababa.
IGAD mediators and the leaders of the five countries will also consult
on new negotiating mechanism and possible ways forward to stalled
talks.
They will further set a new timetable for resumption of next round of
peace talks and are said to announce the new schedule from South
Africa, Sudan Tribune understands.
The two South Sudan’s conflicting parties are given till 9 July to
form a transitional government of national unity however political
analysts doubt the deadline will be met.
Both sides have yet to form an internationally-mandated power-sharing
government and have to bridge a number of remaining contentious issues
in less than one month time. During their three-day meeting in Addis
Ababa chief negotiators of both sides expressed commitment to bring
peace to the country.
South Sudan government lead negotiator Nhial Deng Nhial, told
opposition negotiators it was about time to demonstrate political will
to bring lasting solution than drive the nation for “self-serving
purposes.”
Nhial added that president Salva Kiir had given him the go-ahead to
engage the SPLM-IO and the other stakeholders in frank and honest
consultations so that “we can set the agenda of negotiations.”
The rebel negotiators to their side called on Juba to engage in a
genuine dialogue and realize military solution was “too unrealistic”
to solve the crises.
The last round of South Sudan peace negotiations collapsed on 6 March
after rival leaders failed to agree on almost all outstanding issues.
IGAD and the UN have threatened with sanctions but that hasn’t yet
been implemented.
According to UN, recent fighting in South Sudan’s Unity and Upper Nile
states have displaced at least 100,000 people and blocked humanitarian
aid deliveries for some 650,000 people.
Civil war in South Sudan erupted in mid-December 2013 and since has
killed tens of thousands and displaced some two million South
Sudanese.
(ST)
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Kind regards,
The Sudan Tribune editorial team.
12 June 07:52, by Mi diit
I think IGAD proposal aims to further disintegrate the country by
pushing the richest Upper Nile region to become an independent country
led by Dr. Riek Machar while Salva Kiir will remain with Bahr el
Ghazal and Equatoria until the people of Equatoria free themselves and
become independent too.
repondre message
12 June 08:40, by Eastern
Mi dit,
This latest IGAD proposal, if accepted, will have set the
stage for the breaking up of South Sudan into three entities (call it
countries if you like) along the old provinces/regions of the then
Southern Sudan. Bahr el Ghazal would remain the orphan: poor, isolated
to the corner of poorest African countries: Chad, CAR, etc!
repondre message
12 June 09:23, by Shadrack Nuer Machut
HI Mi Diit
That is an opinion you will die with! There is no separate
state for Nuer alone in which they can make their own free decisions.
It’s possible with Dinka if they were like you. It’s only the Greater
Equatria where Dinka have not origin but they’re in Unity, Upper Nile,
Lakes, Warrap, NBG, WBG & Jonglei States. For the sake peace we need
unity.
repondre message
12 June 09:51, by Mi diit
Shadrack Nuer Machut,
The Nuer did not ask for their own country. Of course
minority Dinka will be in a new country created from the Upper Nile
region, plus Anyuak, Murle, Shilluk and Burun. It will be a rich
country of 4 million people bordering Sudan and Ethiopia.
Yes Bahr el Ghazal will be the poorest of the three
regions (new countries).
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