A group of South Sudanese opposition leaders has called for a roundtable conference in a neutral location to discuss the current situation in the country, saying a permanent ceasefire should be the foundation of the process.

In a joint statement dated April 30, the opposition group claimed said the national dialogue called for by President Kiir cannot be successful if conflict continues to be witnessed in some parts of the country. They demanded that major towns including Juba should be demilitarized.

The opposition leaders claimed that they were not consulted by President Kiir in his appointments of members to the national dialogue.

They pointed out that all the internally displaced people and refugees should return to their homes so that they can participate in the political process of the country.

They further said besides finding a political solution to the conflict, the dialogue should be able to identify and resolve the root causes of different problems faced by the people of South Sudan.

The statement was signed by Henry Odwar, deputy chairman of the SPLA-IO faction led by Riek Machar , Kosti Manibe, member of the SPLM former detainees, Gabriel Changson, chairman of the National Federal Movement, Lam Akol, chairman of the National Democratic Movement, Thomas Cirilo Swaka,  chairman of the National Salvation Front and Joseph Bakasoro,  chairman of the National Movement for Change.