Machar's group says does not recognize SPLM reunification in Juba
The main opposition group led by former first vice Riek Machar said it does not recognize the ongoing reunification of the SPLM party in Juba based on the Arusha reunification agreement.
The Arusha reunification deal was signed on 21 January 2015 under the auspices of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi, Tanzania’s governing party and attempts to reunify three fragmented SPLM factions through a conflict resolution mechanism.
The agreement signed by SPLM led Salva Kiir, SPLM-IO led Riek Machar and SPLM-FDs led Pagan Amum, lays out key steps towards the reunification of the historical party.
Henry Dilah Odwar, deputy chairman of the rebel group led by the country’s former first vice president Riek Machar, told Radio Tamazuj that the SPLM faction led by President Salva Kiir was not serious to implement the Arusha reunification agreement.
“The reunification process failed when we were kicked out of Juba in July 2016, so the implementation of the Arusha reunification agreement will only take place when there is peace in South Sudan,” Odwar said.
“They cannot purport to be implementing the Arusha reunification agreement when the SPLM-IO is not there,” he added.
The top opposition official said they cannot go to Juba before the root causes of the ongoing civil war are not addressed through a negotiated settlement.
“So what is happening now in Juba is a farce. There is no reunification of the SPLM party in Juba. What is happening in Juba is a sham.” Odwar said.
He further said the ongoing reunification process in the capital Juba will not change the country’s situation, pointing out that they do not recognize the steps taken by Salva Kiir to reunify the historical party in Juba.
“What is going on in Juba is a government arrangement and there is no need for us to recognize them,” he said.
The SPLM National Liberation meeting has entered its second day in Juba to reunify the party.
The ruling SPLM party fractured in December 2013, leading to the ongoing civil war that has killed thousands and forced millions to seek refugees in neighboring countries.