A group of peace activists from South Sudan has come out against the second round of peace talks on governance matters and transitional security arrangements scheduled to take place in February 2018, citing discontent about rebel leader Riek Machar’s forced detention in South Africa.

In a statement seen by Radio Tamazuj today, the group calling itself the Senior Youth of South Sudan (SEYOSS) said Machar’s release from his forced confinement is a popular demand among the people of South Sudan who want peace to return to the country.

The activists urged the nine opposition leaders who called for Machar’s release recently to boycott the second phase of the revitalization forum in February if the East African regional bloc IGAD fails to head their call.

“Dr. Riek Machar was a key stakeholder of the agreement (ARCISS). He must be set free and allowed to participate directly in the revitalization forum in February 2018 when peace talks resume,” the group said.

“Riek Machar must be present in person on the negotiation table. Unless or until this revitalization forum is inclusive of all stakeholders otherwise it is dead on arrival,” it added.

The group of peace activists says its regrets the suffering four years of civil war has inflicted on the people of South Sudan. “As year 2017 comes to an end, South Sudanese living conditions have continued to mount from bad to worse and have now reached irreparable state,” the activists said, blaming South Sudan leaders on both sides for causing civilian suffering through their acts.

“There is no freedom of expression or media in South Sudan. We have one state-run television, SSBC. Most print and online newspapers had been shut down until further notice.”

The peace advocates called on the East Africa's security and trading bloc and its peace guarantors to hold accountable those responsible for violation of the agreement on cessation of hostilities just hours after it came into effect on Sunday.

They also called for the revocation of the newly created states in South Sudan. “Also, the clauses that provide two army groups under separate command need to be revisited and reviewed to avoid future hiccups on the implementation of the accord,” they said.

The statement bears the names of Dak Buoth, Yom Deng, Benjamin Ubur, Abraham Manyok, Nelson Gatmai, Mut Giel, David Anyieth Kuol, Garang Poljour, and Nyalang Thiep.