S Sudan warring parties asked to comment on IGAD proposal to Kenya’s Uhuru

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday reportedly asked South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar to present their reservations about the recent IGAD proposal and present alternative proposals.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday reportedly asked South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar to present their reservations about the recent IGAD proposal and present alternative proposals.

Both South Sudan’s government and armed opposition have expressed reservations on the recent IGAD proposal for South Sudan’s warring parties to share power in a transitional government.

Pouk Both Pouk, head of information at the SPLM-IO office in Nairobi told Radio Tamazuj that the two sides were expected to present their viewpoints within two days of the meeting.

The rebel official predicted that the two leaders would submit their observations today Wednesday as agreed during the meeting.

President Uhuru released a statement on Sunday evening after hosting two days of talks between President Kiir and SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar. He said that the meeting identified and isolated the most important issues for both sides.

“We have discussed these extensively and, with the direct talks, both President Kiir and former Vice-President Machar understand each other’s concerns and reservations.

“President Kiir and Dr Machar expressed their full commitment to the on-going peace processes and reaffirmed their commitment to securing peace for their people,” reads the statement.

The regional bloc proposed that the SPLM-IO would receive governorships of Unity, Upper Nile, and Jonglei states, as well as 53% of state council of ministers positions for those three states. Kiir’s side would get 33%, with the SPLM-G10 and other political parties splitting the leftover 14% evenly.

Kiir’s side would receive 53% of national ministerial positions, while the SPLM-In Opposition of former vice president Riek Machar’s would receive 33%. The rest of the ministries would be split up between other political parties and the SPLM-G10 Former Detainees group led by Pagan Amum.

Photo: Uhuru Kenyatta/Facebook