South Sudan’s armed opposition group led by the former First Vice President Riek Machar has rejected the recent reunification agreement signed by fragmented SPLM factions in Cairo, saying the deal doesn’t serve the interest of the country.
The reunification deal was signed in the Egyptian General Intelligence's headquarters under the auspices of Egypt’s President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and President of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Egypt hosted the reunification meeting from November 13 to 16.
The agreement, which bears names of SPLM-FDs leader Pagan Amum and South Sudan’s defence minister, Kuol Manyang, is expected to expedite implementation of the 2015 Arusha reunification agreement.
Manawa Peter Gatkuoth, a senior opposition official loyal to Machar, told Radio Tamazuj that the Cairo deal between the government and members of the SPLM-FDs was an attempt to rescue Kiir’s administration.
The opposition official pointed out that their group doesn’t recognize the recent reunification agreement in Egypt. However, he reiterated their commitment to peace in the country saying the reunification of the SPLM party is not a priority.
Speaking to reporters after his return from Cairo where he participated in the reunification agreement last week, Nhial Deng Nhial, Senior Presidential Adviser said that the new agreement does not recognize Riek Machar as the leader of the SPLM-IO faction. However, he said Machar can join the IGAD revitalization process.