By Deng Ghai Deng
The Secretary General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), Peter Lam Both, has issued a call for unity within the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) delegation amidst recent disagreement at peace talks in Nairobi.
“Our position is that the R-TGoNU Delegation is one team representing the Government regardless of which party a delegate represents,” Lam stated.
Lam’s remarks come amidst tensions following the withdrawal of the SPLM-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) from the Nairobi Tumaini Initiative, a move criticized by Lam as rendering the initiative ineffective due to the absence of all concerned parties.
“If there are concerns as raised by the SPLM-IO Chairman, it requires the team to discuss it and bring it to the Signatories to R-ARCSS,” Lam added.
“It is only then that they can decide to take unilateral action if such decision goes against what they feel is genuine.”
Lam emphasized the imperative of collective action among all signatories to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), highlighting collaboration as pivotal to achieving sustainable peace.
Meanwhile, recent developments saw the transitional government and other groups in Nairobi signing eight protocols addressing critical issues including security, ceasefire, communal violence, arms proliferation, land disputes, trust-building, humanitarian access, and the role of guarantors.
However, contentious discussions surrounding the proposed National Leadership Council (NLC) have surfaced, with SPLM-IO voicing concerns over its potential to supersede constitutional bodies.
“Our recommendation is for the Government Team to return to Juba, convene with the Presidency, and deliberate on the protocols signed in Nairobi for a unified decision moving forward,” he proposed.
The ongoing peace talks in Nairobi continue to face challenges amid differing priorities and interpretations among South Sudanese factions, underscoring the persistent obstacles to consolidating peace and stability in the war-torn South Sudan.