National, News

NAIROBI TALKS Tumaini delegates persuade Machar

By Bosco Bush

 

The National Unity Government’s delegation to the Tumaini Initiative peace process met with First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, to brief him on the progress made in the ongoing negotiations.

This is after the SPLM-IO Political Bureau met in Juba and unanimously decided to withdraw from the Kenyan-mediated talks.

They cited dissatisfaction with the protocols recently signed under the Tumaini Initiative.

According to a resolution seen by this publication, the opposition faction accused the negotiations of straying from their original purpose.

Particularly controversial is the creation of the proposed National Leadership Council (NLC), which the SPLM-IO argues would yield unchecked power, potentially surpassing constitutional bodies such as the Presidency, Council of Ministers, National Legislature, and National Security Council.

Speaking after the meeting with Dr. Machar, the presidential special envoy, Amb. Albino Mathem Ayuel, and his team highlighted the significance of the protocols that have been signed between the government and the holdout groups as part of the Tumaini peace agreement.

In a statement, Minister of Information Michael Makuei said the final document and the concerns raised by the SPLM (IO) political bureau – which led to their suspension of participation in the Nairobi talks – will be discussed by the Presidency this week.

Makuei acknowledged that the SPLM (IO)’s decision to withdraw from the talks has affected the government’s engagement with the holdout opposition group.

However, he noted that the delegation to the Nairobi talks is an inclusive government team, not just individual parties.

Makuei added that SPLM (IO) members in the delegation, as well as other members, are still in Nairobi awaiting the outcome of the Presidency meeting on whether to pull out as a team or proceed with the peace process.

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.

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.

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