By Philip Buda Ladu
Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro, has lashed out at members of opposition, whom he claimed were exploiting journalists and bloggers to disseminate misinformation regarding peace process.
This came after a social media rumour alleging that Dr. Elia was removed from the negotiation room by the chief mediator for being anti-Tumaini Initiative for peace in South Sudan.
He dismissed social media claims.
“This press is essentially to alleviate the concerns of our citizens and our people who know that we have come here to negotiate peacefully and to negate the negative social media campaign which has been engineered by the opposition and the whole groups and their friends all over the place,” Lomuro said.
Lomuro, who is also the Rapporteur of the restructured delegation of the Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGONU) to the peace talks with opposition holdout groups in Nairobi, Kenya, clarified the situation during a press briefing on Monday.
Dr. Lomuro emphasized that he was particularly targeted with the propaganda because of his position not only as a rapporteur of the government but also as the Secretary General of the High-Level Standing Committee for the Revitalized Peace Agreement implementation.
“I have the information that is ready to be used for negotiations and this seems to create a lot of fear among the other side” Lomuro stated. “But I want to assure our people that I’m here. Lazarus Sumbeiywo is very responsible and a very well-known peace mediator. He cannot be described as someone who could chase the Senior Minister of Government Delegation.
The cabinet affairs minister criticized online news agencies for taking part in publicizing the propaganda adding that the station has been against the government of the Republic of South Sudan throughout.
“So I want to tell our people not to listen to the negative propaganda that is out there in order for them to lose trust in the government, to divide our delegation and to make them lose hope,” Lomuro assured.
He further denounced the opposition for personally attacking him, fabricating stories about his stance on President Salva Kiir’s letter to President Ruto.
“I came here as the rapporteur, and I possess all the necessary documentation,” he reiterated.
The opposition was not immediately available to respond to the allegation, but last week, SSOMA and other parties issued a statement blaming Dr. Elia Lomuro and called him a ringleader of the anti-Tumaini group.
“We are deeply shocked by comments made by the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Hon. Martin Elia Lomuro, a new government delegate to the Tumaini talks and a ringleader of the anti-Tumaini group,” the statement stated.
On the progress of the talks, Lomuro emphasized that despite indifferences in levels of understanding where the opposition twists information to suit them, the government delegation will not be drawn into negotiating on social media or jeopardizing the peace process in social media.
“We came with a clear directive from the President that we should take back peace and that is our focus” he reiterated their position. “So I hope I have clarified that I am here in full force as the rapporteur of the government delegation,” he added.
When asked about the progress of the talks, Lomuro was cautious, citing advice to limit media engagement during negotiations. However, he confirmed that the process is on track.
“We launched the occasion successfully. Then when we came to substantial issues, that’s where the problem is and that’s the nature of negotiations. It is never going to be smooth. It is never going to be without arguments,” he concluded.