By Deng Ghai Deng
Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) has reaffirmed its decision to abstain from the ongoing peace negotiations in Nairobi.
The opposition party maintains that until fundamental concerns that mark a significant escalation in the fragile peace process, are addressed, it’s out of the talks.
Last week, the SPLM-IO Political Bureau met in Juba and unanimously decided to withdraw from the Kenyan-mediated talks.
The party expresses dissatisfaction with the protocols recently reached by the parties negotiating at the Tumaini Initiative.
It accused the initiative of diverting from its original purpose, especially the creation of the proposed National Leadership Council (NLC), arguing that it would yield unchecked power, potentially surpassing constitutional bodies such as the Presidency, Council of Ministers, National Legislature, and National Security Council.
Puok Both Baluang, acting press secretary for SPLM-IO’s leader Dr. Riek Machar, reiterated their position despite recent attempts by the government’s delegation to persuade Machar to reconsider.
“Our position is still the same, which is the position of the political bureau. There is nothing that is changing until our concerns have been addressed,”Baluang affirmed.
On Monday, the government’s delegation to the Tumaini Initiative met with Machar, to brief him on the progress made in the ongoing negotiations and to persuade him to get back to the table.
According to Machar’s office, the meeting concluded with an agreement to elevate SPLM-IO’s concerns to the presidency level for deliberation and guidance.
Baboya James, a policy analyst with the Institute of Social Policy and Research in Juba, emphasized the urgency of resolving the deadlock, warning of severe consequences for South Sudan’s citizens amid a crippling economic crisis with inflation skyrocketing to unprecedented levels.
“Right now this country is going to get stuck; the economy has failed—you can’t be in a country where 13 years ago 100 dollars were equivalent to 200 South Sudan Pounds, and today it’s 430,000 pounds—that is unacceptable,” Baboya stated.
“The priority of this government should be working toward restoring the economy. Look at the poor state of Juba Road; look at the people, they are suffering. If this government is to be more proud, they should be thinking about how to deliver real services to the citizens.”
The other stakeholders are awaiting a presidential decision on the SPLM-IO’s participation in the talks or whether to pull out as a team or proceed with the peace process.