IGAD member states at a past meeting. Photo: IGAD
Addis Ababa, May 3, 2019 (SSNA) — The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has agreed to extend the pre-transitional period for six months to allow South Sudan’s parties enough time to implement security arrangements and then form a transitional government, an IGAD diplomatic source with Ethiopia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry told the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa today.
The official who asks not to be named in the report because he was not authorized to speak to the media explained that the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) and other opposition parties demand that a six months extension is needed to allow all parties to the deal enough time to implement peace provisions before a provisional government is formed.
“IGAD believes South Sudan opposition parties have a good reason to ask for the extension so we agreed to give them six months as they requested. The reality is that they cannot form a transitional government on May 12. The time is simply too close,” the official explains.
The agreement stipulates key provisions of the pact popularly known as security arrangements must be implemented before a government is formed.
Last month President Salva Kiir called on the SPLM-IO leader Dr. Riek Machar to join him in Juba for the formation of a transitional government. Machar refused, saying his party will never participate in the formation of a provisional government unless security arrangements are implemented.
Many South Sudan observers believe that South Sudan’s government is not serious about peace execution, citing its latest attempt to try to bypass guidelines stipulated in the pact.
6 comments. Leave new
It’s good for parties committed in peace and implemented it according to paper they have signed
What is stupid Makuei saying now? But one thing that has clearly come out of this is that the government of South Sudan under the JCE is not serious about this peace agreement and will want to do anything possible to fail it. The idiots of Ateny Wek Ateny and Michael Makuei must watch their words because one day you will be accountable for them.
Its very reliable and tremendous to extend the time for implement for better permanent peace in the Country-Thanks to All parties and IGAD as well
It will b fine if they don’t extend this pre-transitional period again.
We just need peace no matter how it is brought!
But bringing a rough peace it can have a consequence better to delays because would work to implement all provisions that would guard the peace then being hurry on something that wouldn’t longer last longer
It’s a good elucidation to gives six more months to the political parties to a prepared and participate in the peace process, but it should be noticed that the political leaders must meet the demands of the civil society.
The peace is totally delay by the mediators and the International ommunities, but who should be blamed, the warring parties.