Addis Ababa, July 16, 2015 (SSNA) — South Sudan’s armed opposition announced that it welcomes the decision by African Union Commission of Inquiry to discuss the possibility of releasing the report on South Sudan atrocities.
Rebel Spokesman James Gatdet Dak on Wednesday released an official statement, confirming that the Chairman of the SPLM/A-IO Dr. Riek Machar met with the Chairperson of the AU Commission Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, saying the leadership of the armed opposition welcomes the move.
“In a meeting today, Wednesday, in Addis Ababa between our Chairman, Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, and Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, it is confirmed that the report will be discussed on July 24 at the level of AU’s foreign ministers,” Gatdet said in the statement.
Gatdet praises the AU for its decision to discuss the report, describing it as overdue.
“African Union (AU) will next week discuss the long awaited report on South Sudan atrocities compiled by its Commission of Inquiry, and possibly make it public soon. SPLM/SPLA leadership commends the AU’s decision to tackle the matter so as to release the report. It is overdue,” he added.
The document which was originally set to be released in February this year was postponed by the AU; the move has drawn international condemnation and forced South Sudan’s warring factions to exchange accusations.
Rebels alleged that Juba is constantly lobbying Kampala and few other unnamed African nations to use their influence to delay the release of the atrocities report.
Juba, however, claimed that the release of the report could jeopardy peace talks.