Former governor of Western Equatoria Joseph Bangasi Bakasoro said on Tuesday that the formation of a unity government should not be delayed again, despite challenges.
South Sudan rival leaders had been unable to create a unified army and determine the number of states since the deal had been signed in September 2018.
In May, the parties to the agreement extended the pre-transitional period by six months ending in November 2019, in order to complete pending tasks, especially in relation to security arrangements.
Bakasoro, who leads the opposition South Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC), told Radio Tamazuj that he rejects a suggestion by some parties to the peace deal that the formation of a transitional government be extended again due to unresolved issues.
The opposition politician has urged South Sudan’s leaders to make urgent efforts to fully implement the peace deal for the sake of their people. He stressed that the extension of time should not be repeated.
“We have to implement the security arrangements fully. But if the security arrangements are not completed as planned, we need to consider the suffering of our people because they want the government to be formed in November,” he said.
Bakasoro admitted that it would be hard to accomplish the integration of various forces within two months.” The program for cantonment, screening of forces and training is not progressing. I want to say that the citizens will lost trust if we failed again to form the government,” he said.
However, the former governor said they are waiting for the Intergovernmental Authority on Devolvement (IGAD), a regional bloc for East Africa, to make recommendations on the way forward.
“I will not reject whatever will be decided by the parties to the peace agreement and the IGAD, but my problem is that our people are suffering,” Bakasoro said.
The September 2018 deal followed a number of failed peace agreements, but has largely held so far, despite unmet deadlines. Peace monitors have recently warned that time is running out for implementation of the peace deal.
The regional grouping that brokered the South Sudan peace deal has invited the rival parties to hold a consultative meeting in Ethiopia on Wednesday morning, in a bid to salvage the stalled peace accord.