By Yiep Joseph
Despite Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) internal feuds, a faction casts doubt over status of 2018 peace Agreement.
A faction led by Nathaniel Oyet Perino, aligned to Dr. Riek Machar, has demanded to know the current stand of the Peace Agreement.
Entangling the Revitalized Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), Oyet called for clarity, claiming the agreement faces challenges.
Outlining several claims of violations, Oyet urged interim chairperson of RJMEC, Gen. George Aggrey Owinow (Rtd) to urgently resolve political and security violations in the country.
He urged Peace Monitors and RJMEC to determine the status of the peace agreement.
“We call upon RJMEC to expeditiously determine the state of the R-ARCSS: collapsed or alive,” Oyet said in a statement.
He called upon the peace monitors and partners to work together in order to ensure the peace implementation in South Sudan.
In his claims, Oyet stated that, in the recent reconstituted High-Level Standing Committee for Peace Implementation, some members of SPLM-IO under Dr. Riek Machar Teny, were replaced.
Oyet’s claims, however contradict that of Pal Mai Deng, Spokesperson of SPLM-IO under Dr. Riek Machar, who said in a statement that “the notion that the party is divided is not true”.
The RJMEC, interim chairperson, had urged SPLM-IO to use internal structures to resolve wrangles in order to ensure active participation in implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
Pal Mai’s stand leaves many on the fence, but could be interpreted that whether the interim leadership, under Stephen Par Kuol, or those aligned to Dr. Riek Machar, there is no contention.
However, Amb. Par’s faction claims its formation is meant to continue the party’s aspirations in absence of Dr. Riek Machar, who is under house arrest. Meanwhile, some other members are in self-exile.
Despite several criticisms from some members, especially those who left the country, Amb. Par stands focused on implementation of 2018 peace agreement.
The view held by SPLM-IO members in self-exile, that the 2018 Peace agreement is on the verge of collapse, is contrary to that of the interim team in the country.
On several occasions, Amb. Par has stated that SPLM-IO members under his leadership would continue to work to ensure peace implementation proceeds and security stabilizes.
“We cannot allow this peace agreement to collapse. This peace agreement is a tall building, and if it collapses, the damages will be on all of us,” Par said in one of the events.
Recently, the Vice President for Infrastructure Cluster Taban Deng Gai emphasized that the government remains committed to peace and stability.
While addressing citizens during his trip to Bentiu, Unity State, Deng said the arrest of Dr. Riek Machar cannot stop implementation of the peace agreement.
“The house arrest of Dr. Riek Machar doesn’t mean any problem on the implementation of peace,” Deng said.