Juba, July 12, 2018 (SSNA) — South Sudanese rebels have harshly criticized Juba over recent action by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) to extend government mandate for three years.
In a move seen as a slap on the ongoing peace process, the TNLA voted to extend the term of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) term until 2021.
Mabior Garang de Mabior, the chairman for the SPLM National committee for information and public relations blasted Juba, saying this “illegitimate” term extension by “rogue” regime in Juba will create mistrust between parties to the conflict.
The SPLM-IO states the actions clearly demonstrates that the government is not serious about peace and calls on the United Nations and African Union not to recognize the new government.
Mabior also explains that the armed opposition is fully committed to the IGAD-led peace process. However, he warned that recent “regime’s extension of their tenure at such a matured stage of the peace process, their malicious propaganda, their intransigence throughout the peace process, their constant violations of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreements, and their constant aggressive posturing” gives the armed opposition the right to self-defense.