The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in Opposition (SPLM-IO) have reported progress at security talks with the South Sudanese government in Addis Ababa, following calls on the group to sign the previously rejected minutes of the last security workshop.

Both warring parties participated in a workshop in September on the permanent ceasefire and transitional security arrangements, but differences over troop levels in Juba among other issues led the rebel negotiators not to sign the minutes of the meeting.

The African Union Peace and Security Council has called on SPLM-IO to do so.

Mediators of the East African regional bloc IGAD during a workshop this past week sought to reconcile the positions of the two warring parties on security matters. Haile Michael, an IGAD communications officer, explained to Radio Tamazuj last Wednesday that the current workshop focuses on “transitional security arrangements” and “redefinition of D-day and agreement on the implementation timeline.”

The mediators presented a “harmonization document” to the two parties to encourage them to reconcile their positions.

Today, Monday, the SPLM-IO is expected to sign the minutes of the previous security workshop at an event at Capital Hotel in Hayahulet in the Ethiopian capital at 9:00 a.m., according to Dickson Gatluak, one of the spokespersons of the rebel forces.

Dickson added, “Following the signing of the minutes of the workshop... the meeting between the two warring parties shall continue to discusses the following agenda  items until the parties finalize the issues under consideration: a) Any concerns raised in the harmonization document or any other concern to give effect to the implementation of the permanent ceasefire and the operationalization of the institutions as provided  for in the agreement; b) Agreement on the implementation timeline and other business.”

File photo: SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar

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African leaders criticize Machar group over ceasefire workshop (29 Sept.)