Salva Kiir’s SPLM-Juba faction has signed a document agreeing to end the “status of exile” imposed on members of the SPLM-G10 faction within two weeks.
Representatives of three SPLM factions have been meeting in Arusha, Tanzania as part of a committee tasked to follow up on implementation of the Arusha SPLM Reunification Agreement.
In a communique dated 16 February, the representatives said they agreed on a roadmap for implementing SPLM reunification including “preparatory measures” for the anticipated return of the SPLM-G10 leader to South Sudan.
According to a signed “roadmap” document seen by Radio Tamazuj, which accompanied the communique, the parties have agreed on a timetable for this of two weeks.
The document commits “Comrade President” to the “formal ending of the status of exile imposed on the FDs [Former Detainees]” within 14 days from 16 February.
Negotiators envisioned that SPLM-G10 members — as well as SPLM-IO faction representatives — would then return to Juba within 45 days of 16 February.
Jemma Nunu Kumba signed the document on behalf of the SPLM-Juba faction.
SPLM-G10 members left Juba after being released from detention last year. The group comprises ten former officials including former SPLM Secretary-General Pagan Amum and ex-ministers John Luk, Deng Alor and Kosti Manibe, former governor Chol Tong, among others.
The group was also called the G11 but this was changed to G10 after the defection of former Ambassador Ezekiel Gatkuoth to the SPLM-IO faction. The G10 are also referred to as the “Former Detainees” group because members were temporarily jailed by President Kiir.
File photo: SPLM-Juba faction leader Salva Kiir