S. Sudan rebels due to hold military briefing on proposed power-sharing deal

November 15, 2014 (KAMPALA) – The leader of South Sudan’s rebel faction, Riek Machar, is due to brief senior officials next week after agreeing to a power-sharing concession with president Salva Kiir.

The rebel faction’s Kampala-based representative, Otim David, said the aim of the meeting was to bring together the senior leadership and top generals to conduct consultations on the agreement and discuss the way forward for South Sudan.

Machar is expected to address military governors, field commanders and members of the rebel youth army at the 17 November meeting.

David said it was decided to hold the meeting to allow the senior leadership to hold consultations at a grassroots level and hold talks with elders in Fangak.

He has urged South Sudanese people to rally behind the rebel movement and support its struggle for a free and democratic state.

“This is the people’s struggle, the people’s war’ it does not belong to Dr Riek Machar … he is just like [the] facilitator to facilitate the birth of the baby, but the owners is the South Sudanese to make sure that they rally all behind Dr Riek Machar to bring the much needed change that they are desire,” said David.

South Sudanese officials have repeatedly dismissed an agreement signed last week in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, between the two warring parties, saying the government remained opposed to a proposed power-sharing arrangement between the president and prime minister.

However, David denied the claims, describing government officials as warmongers.

He warned that the entire peace process could be derailed unless the government agrees to implement a power-sharing deal.

“Without an executive power my commanders in chief, my chairman Dr Riek Machar will not sign an agreement because it is the same like promoting the status quo,” he said.

“Power is about transforming people’s lives, giving them services … and that is why we want the executive power,” he added.

The rebel faction reiterated that it remained committed to peace talks, accusing Kiir’s allies of blocking negotiations.

David described those who continue to deny discussions were held on proposed power-sharing arrangements were enemies of peace, who were perpetuating the suffering of the South Sudanese people.

(ST)