By Bosco Bush
Another signatory to 2018 Revitalized Agreement has joined camp to resist additional political agreement and any further extension of the transition period.
People Liberal Party, led by Peter Mayen Majongdit, has expressed rejection for any more political engagement that thwarts the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.
The opposition party leader, Mayen’s call came amidst discussions on the draft document of the Tumaini Initiative for South Sudan, in Nairobi.
According to Mayen, the draft document wanted to change the narrative governance structures already laid in the 2018 peace agreement.
He noted that the Tumaini Initiative should focus on inclusion of the holdout opposition group, South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance (SSOMA), as the country prepares for democratic elections.
“I urge SSOMA and the group to use the Tumaini Initiative with good objectives so that they are included in this transition and be able to prepare in less than 5 or 3 months towards the elections,” Mayen said.
South Sudan is preparing for elections at the end of the transitional period as enshrined in the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement as well as the Road Map Initiative.
However, some of the opposition groups that were not signatory to the 2018 peace deal, pose threat for a successful free, fair and credible elections.
The 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement resulted into Unity Government, which is currently negotiating with the holdout groups through the Tumaini Initiative. The talks in Nairobi aims at reaching a consensus and further strengthen peace efforts in the country.
However, Mayen believes that citizens will not tolerate further political agreements or extension in lieu of the R-ARCISS, reiterating that the power belongs to the people.
“We are not really in position for any further political agreement, or neither are we in position for any further extension. The power must return to the people.” Mayen reiterated
Meanwhile, the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, on June 19, 2024, also wrote a letter to the High-Level Mediation of the Tumaini Initiative, noting serious concerns and reservations for the draft document.
According to Dr. Machar, the draft document is in contrast and aims to derail the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.