The SPLM and the opposition SPLM-IO have slammed JMEC just days before the United Nations Security Council is expected to visit South Sudan.
Chairman of JMEC Festus Mogae has given a number of interviews recently that have been critical of both parties, saying that they had no interest in implementing the country’s peace deal.
He also said that JMEC would work with the disputed First Vice President Taban Deng.
A spokesperson for the SPLM-IO party Peter Gatkuoth said that Mogae contradicted himself on many occasions, and criticized his statement that he would work with Deng. Gatkuoth said that working with Deng was a clear violation of a recent IGAD communique.
“Any internal political setting without Dr. Riek Machar will not achieve peace and stability in South Sudan,” Gatkuoth said.
On the other hand, SPLM spokesperson Bol Makueng said that the JMEC chairperson wasn’t acting responsibility, and said he has no ability to implement the peace agreement.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Makueng stressed that the newly appointed Deng Gai was the legitimate representative of the SPLM-IO and that he is keen to cooperate with President Salva Kiir to achieve peace in the country.