Impasse at South Sudan boundaries meeting

South Sudanese woman and child.

A consultative meeting chaired by SA Deputy President David Mabuza on South Sudan’s contentious issue on state numbers and their boundaries reached stalemate.

The purpose of the Deputy President’s visit was to facilitate a consultative meeting of the Parties to the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan.

The Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan called for agreement by consensus on the number and boundaries of states appropriate for the Republic of South Sudan.

At the end of a process by the Independent Boundaries Committee, the parties could not agree on the number and boundaries of states.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) called on Deputy President Mabuza as a Special Envoy on South Sudan to facilitate the meeting, enabling a political solution to be found.

The resolution of this issue, will pave the way to formation of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity in the current extended pre-transition time.

In a statement, the Deputy President’s office said the meeting was cordial and held in the spirit of coming to a workable solution on principles guiding the decision on state numbers and boundaries for the country.

Mabuza and other Special Envoys facilitating the meeting were pleased by the commitment of the party negotiators to finding solutions .

“We entered this meeting with a number of ideals, foremost ensuring peace and development reigns in South Sudan. It was encouraging to sit with parties with strong and divergent views, willing to shift from their original positions where necessary, for the sake of peace in their country,” said Mabuza.

The consultative meeting will reconvene in the next two weeks to allow the parties to consult with their principals and constituencies where necessary and conduct further negotiations among themselves.

“Of great importance, is the vote of confidence in South Africa by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, to play a meaningful role in assisting the peace process. South Sudan people deserve peace and space to realise their development potential. Finding lasting peace and silencing the guns in line with the priorities of the African Union, remains our priority,” said the Deputy President.

As part of the confidence building exercise, South Africa will host a retreat.

South Africa will continue to provide support to the Government and people of South Sudan, through agreed mechanisms and instruments.