South Sudan peace talks to resume next July
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By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
June 26, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan Peace talks will resume
later in July in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, the regional bloc
mediating the talks, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
disclosed.
JPEG - 10.4 kb
IGAD’s chief mediator for South Sudan peace talks, Seyoum Mesfin,
speaks to the press following the signing of a cessation of
hostilities agreement between the South Sudanese government and rebels
in Addis Ababa on 23 January 2014 (Photo: AFP)
At a press conference he gave on Thursday, IGAD lead mediator, Seyoum
Mesfin, said negotiations between South Sudan’s government and
opposition faction (SPLM-IO) led by former vice president, Riek
Machar, will resume next month shortly after the Ramadan fasting is
over.
“We are hoping at the end of holly month of Ramadan to convene the
IGAD Plus summit here in Addis Ababa with the parties participating,”
said Mesfin.
Until talks resume he said mediators will continue consulting the two
conflicting parties
The fresh round of talks will resume under a new IGAD plus initiative
which will incorporate the African Union, the UN, EU, China, the
Troika (UK, US, Norway) as well as five African countries (South
Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, Chad, and Rwanda).
The Government in Juba had reservations at the beginning with the
inclusion of partners to the initial IGAD-led peace process and argued
the regional bloc must only be the core and on the drivers’ seat of
the mediation process while the included IGAD plus countries only take
part as observers instead of directly participating in the mediation
process.
Mesfin said the government was reluctant to accept the IGAD-Plus
mechanism due “misconception” of the new mechanism.
“The mediation has clarified the government then they have understood
it support it and accept it”.
The two SPLM factions have endorsed the IGAD-Plus initiative earlier
this month after mediators engaged both sides in consultation meetings
in Addis Ababa.
The IGAD-Plus mediation process on South Sudan was officially launched
on Sunday by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn and
Chairperson of the IGAD.
In the newly launched IGAD-Plus mediation, the former three chief
envoys now will be risen to unprecedented 19, Sudan Tribune
understands.
COMPROMOSIED DOCUMENT
The mediation has now tabled synopsis of the draft agreement which is
a summery of the parties’ reflection and consultations with their
constituency.
“The mediation has prepared a compromised document which is believed
the two sides could live with and continue to the establishment of a
transitional government,” said the chief mediator.
He further said the mediation is generally encouraged by the reaction
of the two sides towards the document.
The six-page synopsis touches all issues detailed in the bigger
100-page document.
Among others it mentions the issue of governance and power sharing on
central institutions as well as power sharing on the troubled areas
mainly on the greater upper Nile state.
It also calls for immense reforms on critical issues such as on
governance of politics, system, and economy and oil revenue.
With regard to security arrangement the compromised document gives the
parties 18 months period after signing agreement to integrate the
Army.
According to Mesfin, the two sides must complete integrating the
armies at the mid term of the transitional period.
The government has previously insisted integration of army to be
completed within three months or maximum six months time.
“This 18 month is not simply a figure spelt out. But the mediation has
consulted national regional and international competent experts
whether it would be enough time to reintegrate the Army,” Mesfin said.
He said till the army is integrated there will be a third party
proposal which calls for deployment of troops which could be from the
IGAD countries, the Africa Union or the UN which will be sanctioned by
the Africa Union Peace and Security council (AUPSC).
“It is left to choose for alternatives for the parties” He said.
The summary also calls for a radical transformation and restructuring
of security forces including civilian security, also on economy issues
and on making permanent constitution to the troubled youngest nation.
The compromised document calls on both sides to complete the new
constitution 60 days prior to the end of the transitional period so as
to allow for an election to take place.
The conflict in the youngest nation erupted in December 2013 after
president Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting
a coup, an accusation he denies.
FORMER DETAINEES
The former detainees (G-10) are now reinstated to their former
positions raising questions if their return to government would mean
they are no longer stake holders to the peace process.
When asked to comment on the issue Mesfin said it would be difficult
for him at this point to make statement.
However he defended them saying they are only trying to reunite the
fractured SPLM party.
He said their effort to reconcile the party will have a positive
impact on enhancing the peace process although it might not stop the
war or address all the national crises.
At the mean time, however, Concerns on how the IGAD plus mediation
would ensure the voice of the former detainees or would handle their
case remains unanswered.
(ST)
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