Peace Talks Resumes, Parties Called To Reach Final Agreement By 5th March

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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South Sudan Peace Talks between the SPLM in Government and the SPLM in Opposition begun in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Monday with IGAD Chief Negotiator, Ambassador Seyoum Mesfin, calling on the two principals to respect the agreed March 5 deadline and reach a final peace agreement.
JUBA, 24th February 2015 [Gurtong]: According to the recent agreement signed last month, the parties are expected to sign a final agreement by March 05th 2015 with a free transitional period expected to begin on April 01st 2015.

During his opening remarks on Monday, Ambassador Seyoum Mesfin reiterated the importance of finalizing the peace talks on the agreed date.

“After months of negotiations you are all well aware of what must be achieved now, genuine compromise and dialogue must take place. The agreed March 5 deadline to conclude negotiations must be respected so that the pre transitional period can begin on April 1 and the transitional government of National Unity formed not later than 9th July this year.”

Ambassador Seyoum Mesfin, said that the people of South Sudan have long waited for the peace process to be reached. “Let us not disappoint the people of South Sudan any longer. Let us conclude a comprehensive agreement without further delay” said Ambassador Seyoum.

The Government Chief Negotiator, Hon. Nhial Deng Nhial said the government remains committed to the peace process. “I want to re-emphasize the commitment of the government to negotiate and conclude an agreement with the opposition “said Nhial Deng.

“It is now the time for the opposition to make some concession in order to hasten the phase of the negotiation. They could for example stop attacking our position in order to demonstrate their commitment to the peace process” Nhial explained.

On his part, Dr. Dhiu Matok, Acting Chief Negotiator of the SPLM-IO, said that they are committed in beating the 5th March deadline and the SPLM in Government must also do the same.

“We believe that the involvement of the two principals will help unblock some of the issues.  It is imperative therefore that the principals are summoned to join the negotiating teams to accelerate the process if we have to meet the 5th March 2015 timeline.”

Dhieu Matok also said that “the SPLM/A delegation availed itself on this opportunity to reaffirm its position and will work tirelessly to meet this deadline.”
Others involved in the talks includes former political detainees, representatives of Civil Society, Women and Faith Based Groups.

The key talking points include Transitional Security Arrangement, leadership and governance, economy, justice and humanitarian affairs.

The peace talks come at a time when the former SPLM-IO Military Spokesman, Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang recently defected from Dr. Riek Machar’s movement claiming that the opposition leader, Riek Machar is prolonging the war in order to gain power.

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