South Sudan opposition leader Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir. Civil society groups have urged the international community to persuade the South Sudan government to compromise on the number of states. PHOTO | AFP
Civil society groups have urged the international community to persuade the South Sudan government to compromise on the number of states, and help form a transitional administration indicated in the peace deal.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the group of activists based in Kenya called on the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad), the African Union, donors known as the Troika, the European Union and other stakeholders to ask the government to “consider the interest of common citizens first.”
The group; led by Mr Daniel Deng, Dr Wesley Natana, Noel Night and Tut Michael said they were directing the statement to the Djiboutian diplomat Ismael Wais, the Igad Special Envoy for South Sudan, to help kick start a push for a compromise as he works with various international partners.
“[They international partners should] ensure that all an inclusive, transparent, regional and tribal balanced revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity is formed without neglecting any of the article of the agreement,” they said in a statement.
South Sudan leaders, President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar, are supposed to form a transitional government of national unity by February 22. But the two sides had failed to agree on the number of regional states the country should have.
They met last week under the auspices of Igad in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Igad announced there had been no deal but said President Kiir would consult citizens and return with a compromise proposal by Saturday, February 15.
When South Sudan gained Independence from Sudan in 2011, it had 10 states. In 2015, during peace talks in Ethiopia, Mr Machar’s side, the SPLM-IO, proposed 21 federal states, based the old districts created by the British colonial administration. The government strongly opposed this move.
And in August 2015, the parties signed the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (A-ARCSS) which acknowledged the initial 10 states.
However, in a surprise move in October 2015, President Salva Kiir issued a decree creating 28 states, saying it was a popular demand by the people.
He said it was meant to devolve power rather than centralise governance in Juba, a move that was condemned as unconstitutional by political parties, civil society organisations and members of the international community.
Gradually, the states increased to 32.
References
- ^ More by this Author (www.bing.com)
Newer articles:
- David Mabuza hails South Sudan President for resolving issue of states, boundaries - 15/02/2020 07:01
- South Sudan cuts number of states from 32 to 10, unlocking peace process - 15/02/2020 02:03
- Can South Sudan's men of war lead the country to peace? - 15/02/2020 01:47
- South Sudan regional governors vote to retain 32 states - 14/02/2020 21:33
- Kiir Blames Envoys for Lack of Deal on South Sudanese States - 14/02/2020 12:57
Older news items
- S.Sudan's Kiir says no compromise to end peace deal deadlock - 14/02/2020 07:13
- South Sudan's NDM rejects Kiir's consultation meeting - 14/02/2020 06:01
- Sudan’s leader says Israel has key role in removing nation from US blacklist - 14/02/2020 00:16
- Op-Ed: Sudan’s Bashir one step closer to the ICC - 13/02/2020 07:07
- South Sudan buries reports on oil pollution, birth defects - 13/02/2020 00:26
Latest news items (all categories):
- Research ● Olga Algayerova: Small-State Diplomacy in an Era of Geopolitical Fragmentation - 28/10/2026 17:44
- The long journey back to the wild: The return of Przewalski’s horses - 28/10/2026 17:38
- South Sudan to begin voter registration in November ahead of December elections - 28/10/2026 17:12
- South Sudanese Liberation Hero Joseph Lagu Dies at 94 as President Kiir Declares National Mourning - 28/10/2026 17:03
- National average price spreads for maize: Across select East African countries - 28/10/2026 16:56
Random articles (all categories):
- Sudan-South Sudan dispute over oil-rich Abyei re-emerge - 25/08/2013 22:30
- Catholic Relief Services - Technical Advisor II - Malaria, Global Fund project-South Sudan - 10/12/2020 11:37
- In South Sudan, Peace Does Not Make Hunger Disappear - 19/03/2019 03:27
- EAC Speakers want their association recognised in the region - 14/11/2022 00:02
- With much else to worry about, South Sudan keen to tackle climate change - 09/12/2015 09:57
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 151381 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 28442 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 25544 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24746 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22721 times
