Commanders of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by Riek Machar are seeking to meet at Pagak in eastern Upper Nile State to consider a proposed power-sharing deal.
Mediators earlier this month adjourned peace talks to allow for such ‘consultative’ meetings within SPLM-IO and SPLM-Juba respectively, so that the two warring parties deliberate on a power-sharing proposal.
The adjournment was initially scheduled to last only 15 days, but the meeting in the SPLM-IO controlled area has been repeatedly delayed owing at least in part to financial, organizational and logistical problems. Originally it was supposed to start on the 19th or 20th, then organizers pushed back to 24th. Now it may not start until Thursday at the earliest, according to sources involved.
Earlier delays were due to lack of funds; the rebel movement has sought to obtain money from the mediation, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to help pay for the meeting.
IGAD reportedly also requested the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for logistical assistance to fly SPLM-IO commanders to Pagak, from other areas under SPLM-IO control, such as parts of Unity State.
But in a speech on Monday, President Salva Kiir disclosed that he was asked by UNMISS for permission for these flights but declined: “I refused. Because that is not our work.”
Kiir said that he expected the resumption of the peace talks to be delayed until after the rebel conference.
Already a large number of SPLM-IO delegates from Addis Ababa have arrived to the western Ethiopia region of Gambella while others came from the diaspora.
However, it remains to be seen whether key SPLM-IO commanders such as Peter Gadet will attend the meeting, given the difficulty traveling to the area from Unity State.
File photo: SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar