South Sudan factions agree to resume peace talks

South Sudanese refugees at the Elegu Refugees Collection Centre in Atiak Sub-county Amuru District recently. PHOTO BY JULIUS OCUNGI.

KAMPALA- The different warring factions in South Sudan have agreed to revitalise the now stalled peace process with a view of finding a permanent solution to the conflict.

Since July, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has been visiting different factions both within and outside the country and persuading them to lay down arms and resume the peace process under the High Level Revitalisation Forum .

The team completed its consultations with the different groups on October 14 with a visit to Juba where they met the president of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, members of the Transitional Government for the National Unity and the former detainees.

Prior to the Juba meeting, the IGAD Council of ministers met Dr Riek Machar, Pagan Amum, Dr Lam Akol, Gen Thomas Cirillo and Rebecca Garang, among others. The team also met the estranged groups that are party to the conflict in the country.

According to a report released by the IGAD Council of Ministers dated October 14, 2017, all the different warring factions agreed and accepted the Revitalisation Process as the basis for discussions, agreed to take part in the High Level Revitalisation Forum and declare ceasefire and cessation of hostilities.The report, however, points out that while the different parties agreed to restart the peace process, Dr Riek Machar was adamant that he cannot negotiate while under house arrest.

He blamed the government for orchestrating his exile in South Africa and wants unconditional release before resuming the peace process. On various occasions, Dr Riek Machar and his rebels group - the SPLA-IO have said President Kiir is the problem in South Sudan and that the discussions on the future of the country must not include him.

When put to him about the safety of the rebel leader, President Kiir reportedly told the Ministers that he will no longer guarantee Dr Riek Machar’s safety if he were to relocate to South Sudan.

According to the discussions, it is reported that the President views Dr Riek Machar as someone interested in renegotiating the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan-ARCSS.

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