Riek Machar Pinches Salva Kiir's 'unilateral ceasefire' that excludes him

Riek Machar Pinches Salva Kiir's 'unilateral ceasefire' that excludes him

South Sudan’s opposition movement (SPLM-IO) group led by the country’s former First Vice President, Riek Machar on Tuesday issued a cautious response to the unilateral ceasefire declaration President Salva Kiir made Monday, which he described as not all inclusive and diversionary to peace.

In a statement signed by their chairman of national committee for information and public relations, they say its a “one-sided”, dialogue launched by the president was a campaign to “derail” the 2015 peace deal.

They defined a true dialogue as:

The national dialogue is both a forum and process through which South Sudanese shall gather to redefine the basis of their unity as it relates to nationhood, redefine citizenship and belonging, as well as restructure the state for national inclusion.

The national dialogue, Mabior Garang de Mabior, was meant to portray the opposition as an obstacle to peace and that the manner of its design lacks inclusivity.

“If President Salva Kiir and his allies are honest and the intention is to achieve national healing, reconciliation and forgiveness; then, the lack of inclusiveness and outright prejudice in the selection of the so called Steering Committee, will make the entire processes redundant,” said Mabior in a statement issued on Monday.

Garang, a former minister for water and irrigation in the coalition government, was reacting to remarks attributed to president Kiir at the swearing in of the dialogue committee members at which he welcomed participation of all opposition except Machar, claiming his return to participate in the dialogue would cause another war.

“Everybody is welcome to participate in the national dialogue except Riek Machar, because if he comes he will cause another war in Juba”, Kiir said on Monday.

The president’s remarks, however, sparked outcry from peace advocates and the opposition, questioning the credibility of the dialogue advocating no alternative views.

But Garang insisted that implementation of the 2015 peace deal will address issues to do with unequal distribution and mismanagement of resources in the country.

A 94-member steering committee for national dialogue was sworn in to start the work of bringing harmony and peace to the people of South Sudan. The committee co-chaired by Abel Alier and Angelo Beda Bangboru comprises of distinguished members of the country including religious leaders, professionals and politicians.