South Sudan Controversy Continues Over Presidential Term

Juba, Jul 15 (Prensa Latina) The controversy over mandates between the South Sudanese government and opposition continued today with an official statement rejecting accusations to the effect that the continued presence of the country's president, Salva Kiir, will affect peace talks.

The authorities criticized the position of anti-government groups that condemned the constitutional amendment to extend Kiir's mandate for three years, until August 2021, and called for regional and international pressure to dissuade him from signing the bill.

Government spokesman Michael Makuei Lueth said the extension of the presidential mandate will advance the peace process, while opposition leaders said the measure will hinder the implementation of any agreement reached between the parties during the current dialogue.

Lüth denounced the opposition's negative responses to the extension of the government and the terms of the parliament and said the amendment actually discredits the rebels and other groups who defend the continuity of the executive until August, and therefore consider the government illegitimate.

The main insurgent group, the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement in the Opposition, for its part, refrained from issuing statements on the subject, as did other anti-executive groups in the capital engaged in negotiations on the revitalization of peace.

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