Machar calls on US to support adherence to South Sudan peace agreement
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January 31, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudanese former Vice President,
Riek Machar, has called on the United States (US) government to
support the implementation of the peace agreement he signed with
President Salva Kiir in August last year to end 21 months of violent
conflict in the country.
JPEG - 18.3 kb
Leader of SPLM in Opposition, Riek Machar, meets USAID coordinator,
Gayle Smith , Addis Ababa, 31 January 2016 (ST photo)
He made the call on Sunday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, in a
meeting with US officials who are observer delegates to the African
Union (AU), urging them to stand against violations of the peace
agreement by the government.
Machar, who leads the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s
Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), and is the First Vice President
designate of South Sudan per the power sharing deal in the agreement,
also discussed the security arrangements with the US envoys.
His Press Secretary, James Gatdet Dak, said Machar asked for US
support to put pressure on President Kiir, and through other bodies
such as IGAD and AU, to revoke the 28 states he unilaterally decreed
and implement the peace deal as it was signed based on the existing 10
states.
“My chairman has called on the US government through its delegates to
the AU summit in Addis Ababa to support the implementation of the
peace agreement as it was signed. This is for the parties to adhere to
its provisions, hence the importance of rescinding the unilaterally
created 28 states by President Salva Kiir,” Dak told Sudan Tribune.
He said the US officials met by Machar on the sidelines of the AU
summit included Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Assistant Secretary of State
for African Affairs and Gayle Smith, administrator of the United
States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The importance of revoking or suspending the decision creating 28
states was discussed, he said, adding it was important to amend the
constitution based on the existing 10 states per the agreement and
form a transitional government of national unity.
Dak also said the meeting discussed the importance of implementing the
security arrangements before formation of a transitional government.
“Amending the current constitution and passing a transitional
constitution as the basis for formation of a new transitional unity
government is important. It is equally important to deploy joint
integrated forces as per the security arrangements agreement, pending
formation of new government,” he said.
Machar, he said, had also asked the US government to help transport to
Juba as soon as possible about 3,000 members of the opposition’s joint
integrated forces including police and soldiers.
According to the peace deal, within 90 days of pre-transitional period
before a unity government is formed, the current constitution should
be amended and endorsed by an expanded national parliament inclusive
of opposition factions’ memberships.
Also, the national capital, Juba, within the 90 days of
pre-transitional period should be demilitarized by withdrawing
government’s forces and deploying joint integrated units of police and
military from the two sides before a unity government can be formed to
officially begin a transitional period.
However, none of these have been implemented as the constitution’s
amendment has stalled due to the issue of 28 states and government has
not withdrawn its forces from Juba while joint forces have not yet
deployed.
The AU summit is expected to discuss the obstacles faced in the
implementation of the peace agreement.
SPLM-IO HAILS NEW AU CHAIRPERSON
Meanwhile, the armed opposition group has commended the election of
the Chadian President, Idriss Deby, as new AU chairperson for the year
2016, saying this will help in realization of peace in the region.
External affairs committee chairman for SPLM-IO, Ambassador Ezekiel
Lol Gatkuoth, said the new AU’s leadership would help bring peace in
the region.
“On behalf of H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, First Vice President
Designate of the Republic of South Sudan and Chairman and Commander in
Chief of SPLM/SPLA (In Opposition) the election of President Deby is
something to be celebrated because peace will be realized in South
Sudan, the region and Africa as a whole,” he said.
“I am wishing H.E. President Deby all the successes and good wishes,” he added.
President Deby replaced the Zimbabwean President, Robert Mogabe, who
chaired AU for the year 2015.
(ST)
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1 February 02:29, by Dinka-Defender-General
Sorry Machar, you’re traitor, liar,power greed, no vision,
mission, objectives, and master of propaganda. Why did you killed
thousands innocent people for no reason.
repondre message
1 February 05:13, by Mi diit
This is a great diplomatic victory in the face of the absent
Kiir Kuethpiny and his lying Benjamin Marial, who only went to Addis
to drink and lie to Kiir back home.
IGAD should now make sure the 28 states and their thievery 28
governors are suspended forever.
repondre message
1 February 10:56, by Shadrack Nuer Machut
Midiit,
I doubt whether u will come to Juba because of fear. Even
if everything is done possible you will still claim other things. U
first succeed ur senseless rebellion before insulting ur liberators.
The route u’ve just chosen leads to failures. If u insult president,
Ministers etc in favour of the rebel leader Riak Machar Teny, then
what do u think is the reverse response? U r a wrong support
repondre message
1 February 07:56, by Eastern
Well done Dr Machar. Let Kiir continue to brood and sulk in Juba
where’s been reduced to the level of tribal leaders not able to
interface with international diplomats. He dodged the last UN General
head of state summit in New York and now he has dodged the AU summit
in Addis Ababa. Kiir is simply not cut out for the presidency!!!
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