South Sudan rebels downplay IGAD meeting over revitalization of peace deal

File photo: IGAD ministers of foreign affairs during a meeting in Juba on July 24, 2017. (Radio Tamazuj)

South Sudan’s rebels on Tuesday criticized recent resolutions adopted by East Africa’s regional bloc on Monday in Juba to revitalize the 2015 peace deal.

South Sudan's rebels on Tuesday criticized recent resolutions adopted by East Africa's regional bloc on Monday in Juba to revitalize the 2015 peace deal.

Foreign ministers from the IGAD bloc agreed on Monday to empower the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan in close collaboration with the Chairperson of JMEC to coordinate the revitalization process.

Manawa Peter Gatkuoth, a leading member of the opposition faction allied to former first vice president Riek Machar, downplayed the outcomes of the meeting saying the ongoing discussion on the revitalization of the 2015 peace deal is a clear indication that the peace agreement is over.

Manawa accused the IGAD council of ministers of giving legitimacy to the current government in Juba, adding that the outcomes of the meeting will not resolve the ongoing conflict in South Sudan.