IGAD envoy, SSNDPA leaders discuss South Sudan peace process

The IGAD special envoy for South Sudan, Ambassador Ismail Wais last Wednesday met with leaders of the opposition coalition South Sudan National Democratic Power Alliance (SSNDPA) in Khartoum to discuss the ongoing peace process.

The IGAD special envoy for South Sudan, Ambassador Ismail Wais last Wednesday met with leaders of the opposition coalition South Sudan National Democratic Power Alliance (SSNDPA) in Khartoum to discuss the ongoing peace process.

The SSNDPA is composed of five opposition groups that did not sign the 2018 peace agreement.

"The purpose of the meeting with the IGAD envoy is to find out the possibility of a new peace process through negotiations with the coalition to resolve the political crisis in South Sudan," Philip Stephen, the SSNDPA Secretary General told Radio Tamazuj.

He said the process of implementing the revitalized peace deal requires political will, adding that finding a new platform for negotiations comes as a step after the implementation of the peace accord between rival parties faltered.

The coalition affirmed its willingness to engage in dialogue with the government in any platform chosen by the region, praising the Rome talks between the government and the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA).

Stephen appreciated efforts of the regional bloc IGAD and the international community to continuously support South Sudan’s peace process.

Formed in February last year, SSNDPA, which comprises of five political and military movements, is one of the coalitions that did not sign the revitalized peace accord. The alliance currently consists of DRA, FDP, NSM, SSEM and SSUNF.

South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA), a coalition of nine opposition groups that did not join the 2018 peace deal, signed a truce agreement with the government of President Salva Kiir in Rome, Italy on 12 January.