The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) has reaffirmed its decision to abstain from the ongoing peace negotiations in Nairobi until fundamental concerns are addressed.
Last week, the SPLM-IO Political Bureau met in Juba and unanimously decided to withdraw from the Kenyan-mediated talks.
The party expressed dissatisfaction with the protocols recently reached by the parties negotiating at the Tumaini Initiative.
It accused the Initiative of diverting from its original purpose, especially the creation of the proposed National Leadership Council (NLC), which the SPLM-IO argues would yield unchecked power, potentially surpassing constitutional bodies such as the Presidency, the Council of Ministers, the National Legislature, and the National Security Council.
Puok Both Baluang, the acting press secretary for SPLM-IO’s leader Dr. Riek Machar, reiterated their position despite recent attempts by the government’s delegation plea for a reconsideration.
“Our position is still the same, which is the position of the political bureau. There is nothing that is changing until our concerns have been addressed,” Baluang affirmed in an interview with Radio Tamazuj Thursday evening.
On Monday, the government’s delegation to the Tumaini Initiative briefed Machar on the progress and persuaded him to return to the table. According to Machar’s office, the meeting concluded with an agreement to elevate SPLM-IO’s concerns to the Presidency level for guidance.
Baboya James, a policy analyst with the Institute for Social Policy and Research in Juba, emphasized the urgency of resolving the deadlock, warning of severe consequences for South Sudan’s citizens amid a crippling economic crisis with inflation skyrocketing to unprecedented levels.
“Right now, this country is going to get stuck; the economy has failed—you can’t be in a country where 13 years ago 100 dollars were equivalent to 200 South Sudan Pounds, and today it is 430,000 pounds—that is unacceptable,” Baboya told Radio Tamazuj.
“The priority of this government should be restoring the economy. Look at the poor state of Juba Road; look at the people, they are suffering. If this government is to be proud, they should be thinking about how to deliver real services to the citizens.” The other stakeholders are awaiting a presidential decision on the SPLM-IO’s participation or pulling out.